Thug pours petrol over car, sets it on fire then punches man trying to stop him in CCTV

A man has been filmed pouring petrol over a car and setting it on fire during what seems to be a furious row.

Footage taken on March 8 on Walton Street in Leicester shows a man wearing a hood pour the petrol over the the parked Seat using a jerry can which he then throws away and sets the car on fire.

The CCTV filmed the man as he crosses the road and goes over to the car while another man appears from around a corner and runs to the vehicle as though trying to stop the arson attack.

The first man hurls the jerry can at the second man, wearing grey joggers, as he approaches.

Just as the hooded man is igniting the petrol, the other man appears to shove him and then as they both move away, the first man lashes out with a punch which floors the second man.

The hooded man first poured petrol over the car (SWNS)

It was a stunned homeowner who captured the shocking footage in which the man wearing the hood then walks away up the street after delivering the punch.

And the man on the floor quickly gets up looks back at the car on fire, puts his hand to his head as if wondering what to do and starts walking off in the other direction.

Finally he gets his phone out of his pocket just before he moves out of sight of the camera.

A man is punched to the ground in the row (SWNS)

The Seat car pictured on fire (SWNS)

Reports from residents suggest a fight had broken out originally in a nearby restaurant.

Officers from Leicestershire Police and crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were both called to the scene.

In a statement, police confirmed that no arrests have been made so far and that enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

The second man in grey pants appeared to push the first when he set the car ablaze (SWNS)

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "Police were called to Walton Street in Leicester shortly before 2pm on Wednesday (March 8) following a report that a car was alight. It was established that the fire had been started deliberately.

"While attending, officers identified and spoke to the car's owner, who was not inside the vehicle at the time. Enquiries are continuing."

Anyone with information about the incident should call Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 299 of March 8. Alternatively, report information on the force's website.