Man fighting for life after inner suburban shop torched

The group then fled in a waiting vehicle, with one of the group 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 and an arson chemist will attend the scene on Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators believe an attempted arson at the same store on December 6 is likely linked.