Man, 51, fighting for life with serious burns after alleged arson attack on Chapel St smoke shop

A frightening video has emerged of an alleged arsonist screaming in pain after trying to torch a Chapel St shop before being rushed to hospital with “catastrophic” injuries.

An alleged arsonist who set himself alight while trying to torch a Prahran shop was caught on video screaming in distress when he became engulfed in flames.

In footage obtained exclusively by the Herald Sun, the man can be seen rolling around on the ground as flames travel up his body moments after he allegedly set a dessert bar and tobacconist on fire on Chapel St on Wednesday morning.

The 51-year-old man was on Thursday afternoon clinging to life in hospital after suffering “catastrophic” and “life-changing” injuries from the blaze.

The suspected getaway car, which appeared to be a white Holden Commodore, attempted to speed away from the scene before reversing back to where the man flailed around on the ground.

Another man wearing dark clothing could then be seen bundling the burning man into the vehicle, his body still well alight.

His piercing screams could be heard echoing through the street as a fire alarm sounded.

Meanwhile, a shocked onlooker said: “What the f*ck?”.

Arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray provided an update to the man’s condition on Thursday morning, saying the quality of his life would forever be altered in the case he survived.

“If this individual were to survive, and I underline the word ‘if’, then the quality of life is going to be extremely difficult,” he said on ABC radio on Thursday morning.

“He’s not out of the woods yet by any stretch.”

A man is fighting for life after setting himself on fire in an alleged arson attack at a Prahran smoke shop. Picture: David Crosling

The man was set alight after he and two others allegedly muscled their way into The Golden Lounge cafe – located next to tobacconist Better Choice Gifts and Smoke Shop – about 4.15am on Wednesday.

The trio was seen pouring an accelerant throughout before setting the cafe – and one of the alleged offenders – on fire.

Police say the man was “visibly on fire” before the crew of men jumped in an awaiting vehicle and fled the scene toward Fitzroy.

Forensic investigators on Wednesday examined an orange Holden Commodore in South Yarra that is believed to be linked to the arson hit.

It has been seized by detectives who were also seen probing a public toilet block near Birdwood Avenue in that suburb.

Police and forensic team investigating a vehicle linked to the Chapel Street firebombing early this morning. Picture: Tony Gough

Police are also inspecting public toilets near where the orange Holden Commodore was left. Picture: Tony Gough

Paramedics were called to an address in that suburb just 45 minutes later following reports of a man suffering “catastrophic” burns to his body.

That man, 51, was rushed to The Alfred hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the alleged offender’s “life may be lost” as a result of his injuries sustained in the blaze.

“We hope this individual will pull through but he has suffered significant burns as a result,” he said at the scene on Wednesday.

“We don’t know what the future holds … but as a result, this individual’s life may be lost.”

No one was inside the dessert cafe or tobacconist at the time and it is unclear which store was the intended target.

The tobacconist was subjected to a separate attempted arson attack on December 6.

The fire tore through the Better Choice Gifts and Smoke Shop at Chapel St, Prahran, also targeted in December. Picture: David Crosling

Several adjoining businesses were also heavily impacted by the fire on Wednesday.

Inspector Murray said the injured man’s alleged accomplices could face serious criminal charges if he succumbs to his injuries in hospital.

He said those tasking people with arson hits “couldn’t give a stuff” about any injuries or charges they incur.

“We hold them personally responsible, let me be clear about that. We hold those two personally responsible for the injuries suffered by the individual presently in hospital,” he added.

“They may be facing a charge of murder.

“Let me be clear about this. The individuals tasking them couldn’t give a stuff about them. Now we’ve got an individual that may die. We’ve got two other individuals that we hold responsible for his injuries.

“They did leave him for dead. He is now by himself fighting for life … and if he dies, we will be holding them personally responsible.”

Inspector Murray said he was extremely confident in arresting the two other alleged offenders, who remained on the run on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s an unfortunately good start to an investigation, that is one of the alleged offenders has burnt themselves, which obviously indicates we will have a lot of leads,” he added.

“It’s a question of when.”

Emergency services respond to the fire at Chapel St, Prahran. Picture: David Crosling

There have been roughly 130 previous arson attacks linked to the underground smoke trade over the past two years in Victoria alone.

That number is believed to have surpassed 200 across the country in recent days.

Fellow bumbling arsonists were allegedly caught torching the nearby Lux Nightclub on Chapel St in November which closed the precinct for a lengthy period.

A separate Chapel St smoke shop, Harry’s Mart, was firebombed in June last year just metres from the scene.

Local Matt Lanigan said it was yet “another blow to small businesses” in the area.

“We’re in a bit of shock again,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

“This is the third arson attack in the precinct in the last two months.

“Those businesses in that area suffered greatly during that two week period (after the nightclub fire).”

Road closures were in place between High St and Malvern Rd in both directions as emergency services assessed the scene.

Trams were also affected for hours on Wednesday.

Originally published as Man, 51, fighting for life with serious burns after alleged arson attack on Chapel St smoke shop