Barber shop targeted by suspected arsonists two days in a row
A barber shop has been targeted in a second arson attack, a day after CCTV footage revealed the suspected arsonist setting himself on fire.
A western Sydney barber shop believed to be a target of an arson attack has been attacked for a second night in a row.
Shortly after 4am on Thursday, police launched an investigation into a fire at a barber shop on Merrylands Rd in Merrylands West.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the NSW Fire and Rescue, and the flames failed to cause any significant damage to the property.
Police believe the suspect fled the scene in a silver hatchback before authorities arrived.
On Friday morning about 3.10am, police tried to stop a Hyundai i30 with false plates on Sherwood Rd in Merrylands West.
When the car failed to pull over, police initiated a pursuit though Merrylands, Woodpark and Wentworthville, but the pursuit was stopped due to safety concerns.
At the same time, police received a report a barber shop was on fire in Merrylands but “failed to cause damage to the structure” before firefighters were on the scene.
“A crime scene was established and inquiries are ongoing,” a NSW Police statement read.
Police believe the car is linked to the barber shop fire.
It comes a day after CCTV footage captured the moment an arsonist, dressed in a black hooded tracksuit, smashed into the barber shopfront and poured an accelerant from a red jerry can inside the shop and on the footpath.
However, when he set the accelerant alight, the flames erupted and engulfed the man, who fled the scene, threw the jerry can into the bushes and began rolling around in the shrubbery to put out the flames.
Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser told reporters the arson attack was a “serious offence”.
“(It was) a targeted attack, which could have been far more catastrophic,” he said per The Daily Telegraph.
“Luckily on this occasion, the fire didn’t take hold, but it could have destroyed the building.”
Anyone with information has been urged to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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