Detectives are appealing for information following a suspicious fire at a business at Thornton last week.
About 1.05am on Tuesday 10 February 2026, emergency services were called to the business on the New England Highway, Thornton, following reports of a fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters brought the fire under control and extinguished the blaze.
The building sustained minimal structural damage; however, large amounts of stock were destroyed, and a cash register was stolen.
Police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the fire.
Detectives have now released CCTV footage of the incident, and wish to speak with two men seen in the area at the time of the fire.
The men are depicted in the CCTV wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, and are believed to have left the area in a light-coloured hatchback.
One of the men is seen leaving the area with the lower half of his body engulfed in flames.
Police believe the man might have suffered burns following the incident.
As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
