Police probe firebombing of family shop as victims say it's a case of mistaken identity

A firebomb attack has destroyed parts of a family-owned business in Adelaide's west, with the victims saying it's a case of mistaken identity.

Police have launched an investigation into the cigarette shop next door at Brooklyn Park.

The fiery explosion burst from an IT shop on Henley Beach Road around 1am.

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Security vision shows someone fleeing the scene, narrowly escaping the flames.

Business owners Miral and Sam Pande assessed the damage today.  

Nearly a decade of work has been damaged or destroyed.

"It's so shocking for us. We're still in shock," Miral said.

"(I spend) Monday to Friday, eight hours a day here. Even my kids I picked them up from school. I pick him up and bring him here. This is my second home," he said.

Detectives are investigating why vandals would target the block of shops, with the victims questioning if it could be a case of mistaken identity.

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They say they've noticed suspicious activity at an empty cigarette store next door, including a smashed front window and a second break-in within the past two months.

"We have not even seen the shop open but it has been ransacked twice," Sam said.

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9News spoke to the landlord, who says he is concerned the empty shop could be the target of something sinister.

Police confirmed this afternoon they're investigating links between the empty shop and the firebomb attack, including possible ties to the illicit tobacco trade.