A man has died in hospital following an arson attack at a Prahran business earlier this year.
Emergency services were called to a fire at a Chapel Street store shortly after 4.15am on 15 January.
Witnesses told police a number of people had poured accelerant inside the premises before setting it alight.
The group then fled the address in a waiting vehicle, with one of the group visibly on fire.
Nobody else was inside the premises at the time.
The store sustained extensive damage during the incident, as well causing damage to surrounding businesses.
Emergency services were subsequently called to an address in Fitzroy shortly before 5am, after reports of a man with significant burns to his body.
A 52-year-old St Albans man was conveyed to hospital where he received medical treatment for the next five months.
The man passed away in hospital on Friday, 6 June as a result of the injuries sustained during the arson attack.
The fire is being investigated by detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad.
The motive for the fire remains unclear, however police are continuing to treat it as a targeted attack.
Detectives also believe an attempted arson at the same store on 6 December last year is likely linked.
At this time no one else has been arrested in relation to either fire.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad:
"This is an incredibly sad turn of events for this man's family, however it's important that we are clear that this was a completely avoidable situation.
"Over the past two years in particular we have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of fire and the potential for someone to be killed as a direct result of these arson attacks.
"We have now seen this prediction play out - this year we have seen an innocent victim die as the result of a fire and now this man has passed away after his involvement in the Chapel Street blaze.
"Investigators are still in the process of determining why the fire was lit and in particular, who directed it.
"Let me be very clear those people who are paying others an absolute pittance to light these fires have zero concern for their safety. They do not care one single bit.
"A couple of hundred bucks is no reason to risk your life - or spending the rest of your life managing significant ongoing injuries.
"Fire is absolutely uncontrollable and unpredictable, and those involved in this reckless offending are not giving this enough consideration.
"If there are people out there with information about this fire, and ultimately who is responsible for this loss of life, then I strongly encourage them to come forward and speak to police."
