Arsonist lights Inner West hair salon, and himself, on fire

The moment an arsonist sets an Inner West hair salon ablaze, and then catches on fire himself, has been captured on incredible CCTV footage, as police appeal for information to help identify the man.

The footage from inside the Burwood salon in the early hours of June 13 shows two men, one dressed in high vis and another in all black, forcing entry and spreading accelerant around the shop.

At one point, the second man slips on his own accelerant. The first man then ignites the blaze from the entryway, with a large fireball erupting and the fire rapidly spreading through the shop.

But the man did not get a clean getaway.

Another camera angle shows him running up Nicholl Lane, engulfed in flames.

Around 5am, Fire and Rescue crews were called to extinguish a blaze, with residents of the building above the salon evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported, and the shop only sustained minor damage.

What remains unclear is whether the arsonist was injured when he set himself alight.

CCTV captured the moment the fire was ignited at the Burwood salon.Credit: NSW Police

The same salon was targeted again last week in two separate break-in attempts on July 2 and 5, police say.

In both instances, “several males” spotted at the scene failed to gain access and fled before police arrived.

Investigators are appealing for assistance in identifying the two men, asking anyone who has further information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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