Man arrested after woman doused with petrol during disturbing Northcote incident

A man who allegedly attempted to set a building and a woman on fire in Northcote on Saturday has been arrested this morning.

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Police say the 25-year-old man absconded from hospital, before allegedly breaking into the International College of Meditation on Salisbury Grove in Northcote at about 1.30am on Saturday.

The man turned on the gas stove in the kitchen, then returned with petrol an hour and a half later.

It’s alleged he poured the petrol through the building and doused a woman with petrol before throwing matches in her direction.

He was not able to start a fire and fled on foot.

A 25-year-old Ivanhoe man was arrested in the early hours of this morning and has been charged with aggravated burglary, attempted criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, stalking and other assault related charges.

He is expected the man will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning.