Arsonist abandons attack on farm in Gateshead after setting himself on fire
Footage of the incident shows the man running away with his hand on fire after an arson attack gone wrong on a farm workshop.
Thursday 28 March 2019 16:24, UK
Police have released footage of the moment an arsonist fled the scene of an attack on an old farm after accidentally setting fire to himself.
The dramatic CCTV, recorded at Norman's Riding Poultry Farm on Garesfield Lane in Winlaton, Gateshead, shows a man running towards the property from a parked car and pouring a substance onto the door of a workshop.
He is then seen settling light to the door and some debris on the floor, before accidentally setting fire to himself and running away from the scene.
The incident, which occurred between 10.30pm and 11pm on 1 March, caused significant damage and investigators believe the man responsible could also have been injured.
Investigating officer Zoe Walton said: "You can see from the footage that this is clearly a malicious arson and it has caused significant damage to the door of the workshop.
"The CCTV shows the man accidentally setting fire to himself and, although he is able to extinguish the flames, it is likely he would have suffered burn injuries.
"If anyone knows this man, or knows somebody who had suffered burns around the time of 1 March, we would ask you to get in touch.
"This incident could have been so much worse and we need to identify those responsible and bring them to justice."
:: Anyone who recognises the man, or has useful information, should call 101 quoting log 310 02/03/19, submit a report at northumbria.police.uk, email PC Walton on [email protected], or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.