Man fights for life after inner-suburban shop torched

Investigators say the torched shop on Chapel Street was the target of a previous arson attempt. Photo: AAP
A man is fighting for life after a shop was set on fire in an early morning arson attack.
The 51-year-old was found critically injured after several men were seen pouring accelerant inside the building on Chapel Street in Prahran, in inner-Melbourne, before it was set alight about 4.15am on Wednesday.
The group then fled in a waiting vehicle, with one of them visibly on fire.
No one else was inside the building at the time.
The store was extensively damaged in the blaze, which also damaged surrounding businesses.
Less than an hour later, emergency services were called to an address in Fitzroy after reports of a man with significant burns to his body.
The injured man was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
A crime scene has been established at the Chapel Street site. An arson chemist will be on the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators believe an attempted arson at the same store on December 6 is likely linked.
-AAP