Teenager set alight after Melbourne car firebombing

A 13-year-old teenager is fighting for his life after being critically burned during a botched firebombing incident that occurred early Monday morning in Taylors Hill, north-west Melbourne. The teen, who was part of a group contacted via WhatsApp to carry out the arson, attempted to flee but suffered severe burns when he caught fire himself. Two cars were set alight and one car involved was reported stolen from Hoppers Crossing on Sunday. Emergency services rushed the boy to the Royal Children's Hospital in critical condition with extensive burn injuries.

Police are investigating possible links to organized crime, suggesting that middlemen hired the young participants for the arson. A resident near the incident expressed no sympathy towards the alleged arsonist, stating, "You play with fire, you get burned." The boy’s sister has since appealed to other teenagers not to engage in similar activities for monetary gain and warned of the severe consequences.

Police are examining phone data from those involved to uncover more details about the organized crime connection and any further criminal activity.