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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/19/alleged-arsonist-set-fire-to-melbourne-bank-because-he-was-angry-at-length-of-wait-court-told
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| Alleged arsonist set fire to Melbourne bank because he was angry at length of wait, court told | Alleged arsonist set fire to Melbourne bank because he was angry at length of wait, court told |
| (4 months later) | |
| Lawyer for Nur Islam says he admitted setting fire to Commonwealth Bank branch but never intended to hurt anyone | |
| Australian Associated Press | |
| Tue 19 Sep 2017 08.32 BST | |
| Last modified on Tue 19 Sep 2017 08.34 BST | |
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| A man sick of waiting for service at a suburban Melbourne bank will stand trial on multiple charges after he allegedly started a fire that destroyed the branch and burned staff and customers. | A man sick of waiting for service at a suburban Melbourne bank will stand trial on multiple charges after he allegedly started a fire that destroyed the branch and burned staff and customers. |
| Police allege Nur Islam, 22, poured petrol in the doorway of the Commonwealth Bank at Springvale on 18 November before lighting it, causing a large fire and creating “pandemonium” as customers and staff stampeded to escape, Melbourne magistrates court was told on Tuesday. | Police allege Nur Islam, 22, poured petrol in the doorway of the Commonwealth Bank at Springvale on 18 November before lighting it, causing a large fire and creating “pandemonium” as customers and staff stampeded to escape, Melbourne magistrates court was told on Tuesday. |
| Lawyer Barnaby Johnston said his client admitted setting fire to the bank but never intended to hurt anyone. | Lawyer Barnaby Johnston said his client admitted setting fire to the bank but never intended to hurt anyone. |
| Subsequently Islam pleaded not guilty to 33 of the charges of intentionally causing injury and serious injury. He faces 108 charges in total including arson and property damage by fire. | Subsequently Islam pleaded not guilty to 33 of the charges of intentionally causing injury and serious injury. He faces 108 charges in total including arson and property damage by fire. |
| Dozens of people were treated for burns after the blaze, police say. | Dozens of people were treated for burns after the blaze, police say. |
| A video was played to the court made up of footage from five CCTV cameras inside the bank, where terrified patrons can be seen running away from fireballs. | A video was played to the court made up of footage from five CCTV cameras inside the bank, where terrified patrons can be seen running away from fireballs. |
| However, Johnston said close examination of the footage showed Islam pouring petrol onto the floor, stepping in the centre of the puddle and appearing to have “deliberately lit himself”. | However, Johnston said close examination of the footage showed Islam pouring petrol onto the floor, stepping in the centre of the puddle and appearing to have “deliberately lit himself”. |
| “He suffered the most significant and catastrophic injuries as a result of this incident,” the lawyer said, adding that Islam spent four months in hospital with burns to 60% of his body. | “He suffered the most significant and catastrophic injuries as a result of this incident,” the lawyer said, adding that Islam spent four months in hospital with burns to 60% of his body. |
| He said Islam thought: “I don’t want to hurt other people”. | He said Islam thought: “I don’t want to hurt other people”. |
| The court was told the bank was destroyed, causing $2.5m worth of damage, rounded up to $3m including GST. | The court was told the bank was destroyed, causing $2.5m worth of damage, rounded up to $3m including GST. |
| It is alleged the “unlawful non-citizen” from Myanmar had intended to withdraw the balance of his account – $442 – but became angry at the length of time he had to wait. | It is alleged the “unlawful non-citizen” from Myanmar had intended to withdraw the balance of his account – $442 – but became angry at the length of time he had to wait. |
| Police claim he walked to a nearby service station, buying 11.33 litres of fuel for $14.71. | Police claim he walked to a nearby service station, buying 11.33 litres of fuel for $14.71. |
| It is alleged he then returned to the bank, pouring the petrol in a trail from the ATMs into the bank’s interior before retrieving a cigarette lighter from his pocket and igniting the fuel. | It is alleged he then returned to the bank, pouring the petrol in a trail from the ATMs into the bank’s interior before retrieving a cigarette lighter from his pocket and igniting the fuel. |
| Magistrate Peter Reardon directed Islam to stand trial at the county court of Victoria and to appear on Wednesday for a first directions hearing. | Magistrate Peter Reardon directed Islam to stand trial at the county court of Victoria and to appear on Wednesday for a first directions hearing. |
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