Bungling arsonist flees after lighting themselves on fire

A vandal has learnt a very important lesson about playing with fire, after a plan to ignite a Stockholm car showroom completely backfired.

CCTV recently released by police captured the arsonist using a crowbar to break into a car showroom in Stockholm’s north before 1am on March 12, local publication Expressen reports.

It shows a figure dousing around 30 cars with gasoline, before bending to light a puddle of the flammable substance, which erupts in his face.

The video shows the arsonist racing from the scene trailing flames as fire explodes across the showroom.

The force of the explosion is so fierce it even causes the showroom door to burst open, sending gravel flying across the road. 

The arsonist is seen emerging from the showroom, still ablaze, and is believed to have fled the scene with the aid of an accomplice in a silver or grey car.

Police believe the culprit would have suffered serious burns but has not attended hospital for treatment. 

Forensic specialists are currently analysing the arsonist’s gloves, abandoned at the crime scene where they caught fire.