Police release CCTV of failed Brunswick arson attack

CCTV released by police has revealed a fuel canister being thrown through the window of a Brunswick barbershop before a cigarette lighter was tossed in.

Police are searching for a pair of arsonists who attempted to set fire to a store in the city’s north earlier in the week, but only managed to burn themselves.

The two unknown offenders attended Jewell Barber on Union St in Brunswick about 4am on Monday.

CCTV released by police as part of their investigation shows the pair throw a jerry can through the window of the business, before tossing in a cigarette lighter.

A Victoria Police spokesman said “the lighter failed to ignite the fuel with the offenders only managing to burn themselves and a small amount of accelerant outside the store.”

“The pair fled the scene after they were disturbed by a witness,” he said,

“They were seen running through a garden bed and into a dark coloured SUV which sped off in an easterly direction on Little Gold Street.”

Fire crews called to the scene were able to control the small blaze in less than five minutes.

Police are hunting a pair who attempted to set fire a barbershop in the city’s north, but only managed to burn themselves.

The store’s front glass window had been smashed and a red jerry can could be seen lying in the middle of the story on Monday morning as police probed the incident.

The store’s front glass window had been smashed as a red jerry can could be seen lying in the middle of the story on Monday morning as police probed the incident.

Victoria Police Detective Acting Sergeant Shehan De Mel on Thursday said the attempted arson was linked to a similar incident at the shop just days before.

The Jewell Barber was hit in the early hours of Friday morning before it was again damaged on Monday.

A jerry can was thrown through the store’s front facade. Picture: Jason Edwards

Two offenders fled in a white sedan after Friday’s attack before a dark coloured SUV was used as the getaway car days later.

“Both appear targeted to the victim but not linked to any other arsons,” he said.

“Both arsons appear to be attempts only at this stage.”

Detective Sergeant De Mel said investigators were yet to establish a motive for the twin attacks.

Links between the fire at Ali Barber in Epping in March were also ruled out.

The owners of the shop have no prior criminal history.

“Inquiries are still ongoing to identify a motive for this arson, police are unable to establish a motive at this stage,” he added.

“The victim is assisting us.”

Police are probing whether there is a link between two arson attacks. Picture: Jason Edwards

Sergeant De Mel said it was lucky the apartment and its occupants above the Union Rd business escaped unharmed.

“(The offenders have) smashed the front window, thrown the jerrycan in there which has released a lot of fuel, so if it did ignite, it would have been a large explosion,” he added.

“It would have been devastating for the the residents above.

“The risk is still there, it presents a huge risk to the community, and these offenders have no concern for the community.

“If they were successful in what they were planning to do, it could have had devastating consequences.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.