A fireball, then screams of agony: Suspected arsonist fights for life after botched tobacco shop attack

A suspected arsonist was engulfed in flames, while a second man is fighting for life in hospital, after a tobacco shop was allegedly firebombed in Melbourne’s west.

Dramatic CCTV footage captured a man in a blue hoodie on fire running away from the Boss Tobacco shop in Melton about 2.50am on Wednesday.

The footage shows the premises erupting in flames after three men allegedly doused it in petrol and set the building alight.

The second man, aged in his 20s, was found lying on the ground nearby and was flown to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.

A witness told 3AW she heard a loud bang and saw a young man on the ground pulling off his pants and screaming in agony.

“Over 50 per cent, I’d say, of his body is burnt,” the woman told 3AW. “No skin left on his legs, on his hands.

Another witness said: “His skin was hanging off and I feel like he had garbage bags – like burnt garbage bags – hanging off him.”

Detective inspector Chris Murray said it was a real possibility that the man in hospital could die from his injuries.

“Fire is uncontrollable and unpredictable and we can only be thankful it’s not an innocent member of the public who has been injured,” he said.

Police are hunting for two others, one of whom is believed to have significant burns to their hands and feet.

A burnt-out white ute found alight on the Western Highway in Hopetoun Park shortly after the attack is believed to be involved.

Investigators are treating the suspected firebombing as a targeted incident, but have yet to determine a motive.

Police urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The incident marks another suspected firebombing attack targeting tobacco stores and licensed venues across Melbourne as part of the ongoing illegal tobacco wars plaguing the city.