A firebomb attack on a suburban Sydney home has left the homeowner in critical condition in hospital, while two suspects are still on the run.
Police are hunting two men who poured gasoline on the front of the house on Chelsea Drive in Canley Heights, in the city’s west, at 5.45am on Saturday.
The home’s sole occupant, a 68-year-old man, was rescued by a neighbor who rescued him from the fire when firefighters arrived.
He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition due to smoke inhalation and significant burns but is now in a serious but stable condition.
Investigators have not revealed any clues about a motive for the attack.
Police are looking for two men who poured petrol into a house on Chelsea Drive in Canley Heights, in Sydney’s west, at 5.45am on Saturday.
The home’s sole occupant, a 68-year-old man, was rescued by a neighbor who pulled him from the burning building as firefighters arrived.
Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Chris Hughes said his crew ‘felt the fire was rapid’ and NSW Police Acting Inspector David McInerney said it was suspicious.
“There is a possibility that there are multiple people involved, or more than one,” Acting Inspector McInerney told reporters.
‘A man in his 60s suffered significant burns to his arms and limbs. It’s extremely dangerous and it’s a very volatile situation.
“At this stage we are appealing to the public if they have any dashcam or CCTV footage to contact police.”
Dogs have since searched the area and police confirmed two men doused the front of the house with jerry cans filled with petrol.
Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Chris Hughes said his crew ‘felt the fire was rapid’ and is believed to have been ignited in multiple places
The wreckage of the house showed that the entire facade was destroyed after firefighters extinguished the fire
The wreckage of the house showed that the entire facade was destroyed after firefighters extinguished the fire.
Inspector Hughes believed the fire had been started by the two men at ‘multiple locations’.
The elderly neighbor who rescued the man from the fire told 9News that she opened his door and saw the whole house on fire.
His colleague arrived shortly afterwards to pick the man up for work and was shocked to discover what had happened.
The two suspects are still on the run.
Anyone with dashcam footage or information is asked to contact police.