The crude message scrawled on cars moments before they were set alight in suspected arson attack
A dramatic car explosion has rocked a quiet suburban street and destroyed two vehicles as police investigate the suspected arson attack.
The massive blast lit up Burnell Street in Russell Lea, in Sydney’s inner west, about 2.30am on Thursday.
CCTV has captured the moment a figure appears to set two vehicles alight.
Prior to being engulfed in flames, two of the cars were defaced with crude graffiti.
The message reportedly read ‘F*** you, you grub’, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and found four vehicles ablaze.
Crews were able to contain the flames, but two cars were completely destroyed, while the other two sustained significant damage.
NSW Police Superintendent Christine McDonald confirmed the vandalism appeared targeted.
CCTV shows the vehicles parked in Russell Lea explode, as part of a targeted arson attack
‘Words were written on [two of] those vehicles to suggest that the persons responsible have some association with the occupants of the home,’ she said.
Neighbours described the explosion as sounding like ‘firecrackers’, with one resident recalling seeing ‘massive flames’.
As a safety precaution, homes on either side of the property were temporarily evacuated, with no injures reported.
The residence, believed to house a multigenerational family of 11 people with ages ranging from a two-week-old infant to a 71-year-old, were the target of a similar incident in 2013, when seven vehicles were destroyed.
Police are now investigating whether the two incidents are linked.
‘The theory of a decade-long feud is one that we will look into,’ McDonald said.
‘I mean, it’s a hell of a long time to hold a grudge, but we do know that people do hold grudges for a long time. That is something that will be part of our inquiries.’
McDonald condemned the dangerous attack, highlighting the serious risk to life, particularly with a newborn baby present.
A hooded figure can be seen approaching the home, believed to house up to 11 people
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed that an accelerant had been used to start the fire.
‘The risk of someone being injured was obviously extremely high,’ he said.
I don’t think offenders that light vehicle fires actually think about the consequences, but in this scenario we’re lucky no one was injured.
‘We’re lucky that no one is dead. I implore anyone who wants to go out and light a vehicle fire – have a think before you do it.’
Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
