Updated September 3, 2026 — 7:05pm,first published 12:08pm
An arsonist who left his mate for dead after he was engulfed in flames at a tobacco shop in Melbourne’s west is being hunted by detectives as the city’s wave of firebombings threatens to claim its third life.
Arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray vowed to hold the fugitive responsible if his 23-year-old co-offender dies, hitting out at youth offenders who are “ruining lives” by carrying out violent attacks ordered by organised crime syndicates.
The two men both caught fire after ramming and setting alight the Boss Tobacco shop in Melton about 2.50am on Thursday. Police suspect it was a paid attack ordered online by an unknown crime syndicate.
CCTV footage shows a white ute smashing through the shop’s roller door, before two hooded figures jump out carrying jerry cans into the premises. Soon after entering, a fireball blows the shopfront open.
