Incredible footage captured the moment an arsonist accidentally set himself on fire before leaving the barbershop he was trying to burn down.
ACT Police released the CCTV footage on Monday as part of a public appeal to identify two costumed offenders responsible for a targeted arson attack.
The two people were seen riding their bikes to Gold Blade Barbers on Hibberson Street, Gungahlin, south of Canberra, at around 11.40pm on July 6.
One of the attackers used a hammer to smash the front door and stood guard while the other crawled through a hole in the glass.
While inside, the second person poured accelerant from a red drum onto the counter and floor of the barbershop.
They then set fire to a piece of cloth hanging from the drum, causing a ball of flames to erupt throughout the tent.
The arsonist immediately threw the can on the ground but was engulfed in flames.
The video shows the arsonist lying on the ground and rolling outside the barbershop in a desperate attempt to put out his burning clothes.
The two attackers were seen riding their bikes to Gold Blade Barbers on Hibberson Street, Gungahlin, south of Canberra (pictured)
In the process of setting the accelerant on fire, one of the offenders inadvertently caught fire (pictured)
The accomplice ran to the arsonist’s aid and put out the fire before the pair fled the scene on their bikes towards Hinder Street.
Police said there were people inside the 24-hour gym directly above the barbershop at the time of the incident.
Detective Inspector Matthew Sprague said on Monday that the arsonist was “very lucky” to be alive.
“It was incredibly dangerous what happened,” he said. The Telegraph newspaper.
‘Had the fire spread further, we could have actually seen some serious injuries or deaths as a result of the incident.
‘The images speak for themselves in relation to what could have been very serious injuries to the people who were in the gym (above the barber shop, the premises itself and also the offenders).’
The attacker dropped the can on the ground before collapsing (left). He rolled out of the premises in an attempt to extinguish the flames and was helped by his accomplice (right).
Mr Sprague said police had spoken to the barbershop owners and “discussed a number of possible motives” but did not reveal a reason for the targeted attack.
He added that police needed to find the attackers “as soon as possible” and urged anyone who could identify the couple or had information about the incident to come forward.
Gold Blade Barbers called the attack an “absolute joke” and said business would not stop despite the fire.
“Don’t worry everyone, we are still open, no matter what you do, we will not stop, so do what you have to do, THERE WILL BE NO EFFECT!” the company wrote on Facebook a week after the attack.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website quoting reference number 7792682.
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