A bungling crook has made a run for it after setting himself on fire while trying to ignite a vehicle.

Detectives initiated an investigation after they received a call that an unknown person set a Toyota Hilux ablaze at around 2.30am on Tuesday, 10th January.

The charred vehicle was reportedly found in the carport of a home at Trident Road, in the suburb of Seaford Meadows, in Adelaide, Australia.

A bizarre CCTV video released by the South Australia Police last week showed the moment the culprit sets himself on fire as he pours gasoline next to the vehicle’s tyre and ignites it.

As the car blazes in a second, the man can be seen fleeing away in an unknown direction as the flames take hold of him.

South Australia Police officers suspected that he suffered severe burns as a result of the incident.

They said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “The suspect was wearing a black hooded top and white pants and is believed to have arrived and left in a silver sedan.

“Police do not believe this to be a random incident.”

Anyone with information related to the crime can assist the investigation by anonymously contacting Crime Stoppers – an information-receiving service for unsolved crimes and suspicious activity.