An alleged “arsonist for hire” has been charged over the firebombing of a popular Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney.

The alleged attacks occurred across two consecutive nights in the courtyard behind popular local restaurant Eat Fuh on Tuohy Lane in Marrickville.

Emergency services were first called to extinguish a blaze on May 29.

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The following night, CCTV allegedly shows a man throwing accelerant and suspected fireworks from his car towards the restaurant.

A crime scene was established, which was examined by specialist police and an investigation was launched.

An Ettalong tobacconist that was completely destroyed in an arson attack last year may be linked to the restaurant attack, NSW Police said.

“We believe that the tobacconist was targeted to eliminate competition,” Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said.

“We believe that the man depicted (on CCTV) is linked to both incidents despite them being 100km away.

“The only link we have is we believe these people were recruited by organised criminal networks, and they freelance for organised criminal networks to do these acts.”

NSW Police conducted two search warrants in San Remo and Blue Haven on the state’s Central Coast on July 15.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of damaged property by fire/explosion, among other offences.

He was refused bail, and is due to front court again later this year.