A MAN used fuel to set himself alight in horrific scenes at a suburban Melbourne bank, injuring 27 people.

Police said the man walked into the bank in Springvale at 11.30am, just before the lunchtime rush, with a flammable accelerant and torched it about 11.30am. CCTV footage from nearby businesses show a man walking with a plastic container in the minutes before the fireball erupted inside the bank. Six people — two men in their 20s, a man in his 60s, a man in his 70s, a woman in her 20s and another man — were taken to the Alfred suffering serious burns. A 21-year-old Springvale man has been taken to hospital in a serious condition and remains under police guard. Acting Inspector Jackie Poida said it was “too early to tell” what the man’s motive was. “He had with him some sort of accelerant, he walked in to the bank and he lit that accelerant which caused some sort of fire within the bank,” she said. “He set himself alight with that fire and there was a number of other people in the bank at that time that received some injuries as well.” “He left the bank, police attended shortly after and assisted him.” The man was discovered by police at the back of the bank. One patient remains in hospital in a ‘critical’ condition, one is in a ‘critical but stable’ condition, one sustained moderate burns and is in a ‘serious but stable’ condition, and three patients are listed as ‘stable’. Ambulance Victoria said 21 other people — including a toddler and a person in their 80s — were treated for breathing problems and taken to hospital. CCTV of a man seen walking near the Springvale bank fire Police did not know much about the offender. “We haven’t had a chance to speak with him, he is injured and he is being attended to at hospital,” Acting Insp Poida said. Asked whether the attack was terror related, Acting Insp Poida said it was “too early to tell”. Despite reports from witnesses of a possible bomb, CFA operations officer Paul Carrigg confirmed a “flammable liquid” had caused the blaze. “A flammable liquid could have caused an explosion,” he said. Firefighters had not found a petrol canister but Mr Carrigg said they “haven’t gone looking”. He didn’t offer any information as to how the liquid was transported but did say given the severity of the fire it was fortunate no one had died. “It’s very amazing, very lucky no one lost their lives.” Caltex Australia spokesman Sam Collyer said the petrol station had been closed since this morning’s explosion at the bank. The Herald Sun understands the man bought the petrol at the Springvale Caltex before taking it down the road and igniting himself on fire. “The site is currently closed but the we are assisting police with their inquiries, and will continue to do so wherever needed,” Mr Collyer said. The arson squad is leading the investigation. Witness Malen Vanh was in the Springvale Centre two doors up when an elderly woman ran in yelling. “She ran out of the bank and said a man has burned themselves in the bank,” he said. Paramedics treated 27 victims with a “mixture of burns and respiratory issues”. Ambulance Victoria health commander Andy Roughton could not confirm whether any of the critically injured were children. Asked whether any of those critically injured could die from their injuries he said there was “a chance”. “Six of them are very critical and I hope that’s not the case but there is a chance,” he said. Mr Carrigg said it was believed the fire started not far from the inside of the front entrance. The bank sustained “significant damage”. Detectives were seen removing CCTV footage from the bank about 4pm. Two of those taken to the Monash were children. For those needing help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Police are urging witnesses who left to scene to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. A QUICK thinking tradie has been labelled a hero after he ran into an exploded bank and put out the flames. Ash Atkin-Fone was laying pipes in an alleyway opposite the Springvale Rd when he heard a “big blast” and seconds later heard a child’s screams from the Commonwealth Bank. “This kid comes running out, all burnt, screaming his head off, skin coming off, blood everywhere,” he said. Immediately, he sprinted across the road to the neighbouring Optus store. He grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran into the “pitch black” bank, dousing the flames and putting out the blaze before firefighters even arrived. “There was four people getting blasted (with glass) along the street,” Mr Atkin-Fone said. Asked why he put himself in danger and ran into a burning building he simply said “I had to”. “What do you do? Instincts just kicked in,” Mr Atkin-Fone said.