Shocking CCTV footage has emerged showing the moment three masked individuals stormed into a local convenience store, dousing it with petrol before igniting a fire. The trio, captured on camera charging towards the shop in Manchester in hoodies and face masks, near Ancoats, on the evening of Sunday (August 25), with one culprit seen pouring fuel across the floor. A customer inside the shop managed to escape just moments before the shop burst into flames. In the subsequent chaos, captured in just eleven seconds, the perpetrators are seen fleeing the scene, with one seemingly caught in the blaze himself.
The alarming incident, reported at approximately 5.40 pm, also shows one of the group discarding the flaming petrol can onto the pavement, causing parts of the sidewalk to catch fire, as seen in the distressing video circulated on Instagram. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the fire was rapidly extinguished, and thankfully, no injuries were sustained, with everyone inside the shop safely evacuated. Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the arson and are actively searching for the three masked individuals involved, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police stated: “Officers are investigating an arson at a business on Butler Street in Manchester. At around 5:40 pm on Sunday 25 August 2024, three unknown men entered the shop and poured a small amount of petrol on the shop floor. Detectives from North Manchester CID are investigating the incident, and although no arrests have been made so far, enquiries are ongoing into locating the three men.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) added: “At around 5.10 pm on Sunday, August 25, three fire engines from Manchester Central, Philips Park and Blackley fire stations were called to reports of a fire at a commercial property on Butler Street, Ancoats. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the fire and were in attendance for around two hours.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the log number 2238 of 25/08/24. The investigation into this disturbing incident is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to apprehend those responsible for this reckless act of arson.