This is the moment a Canadian arsonist nearly sets himself alight while burning down a local business.

The incident took place at the unnamed company in the city of Sarnia in the Canadian province of Ontario on 21st February.

Sarnia Police Department (SPD) said in a statement on 23rd February that it is “attempting to identify a suspect involved in a recent arson investigation”.

In the CCTV footage, the masked man is seen approaching the business before apparently smashing the front door window and entering with a container of flammable liquid.

A fireball bellows out of the office as the arsonist flees with flames on his back.

He then runs across the courtyard as flames leap from inside the business.

The SPD added: “On February 21st, 2022, at approximately 1:45am, the suspect in this case attended a business in the 1200 block of Confederation Street in the City of Sarnia.

“The suspect can be seen on video smashing the front door window with a wrench and then entering the business with a jug of suspected accelerant.

“Seconds later, the entrance to this business is engulfed in flames as the suspect scrambles to get out.

“The suspect approaches the business from the east and is last seen heading north towards Confederation Street near the Howard Watson Trail.”

It is unclear if the arson attack is linked to the truckers’ ‘freedom convoy’ that has been met with force by PM Justin Trudeau’s government.

The investigation is ongoing.