A suspected arsonist accidentally set themselves on fire while targeting a tobacco store, police have said.

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at PT Convenience and Gifts near Finucane Rd and Old Cleveland Rd in Capalaba, about 30 minutes southeast of Brisbane, just after 9.30pm on Thursday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bumbling arsonist flees burning car after attack

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Queensland Police Service said the fire was quickly brought under control.

Two people — a staff member and a customer who had been inside at the time — escaped without injury.

However, CCTV footage shows the suspect on fire as he ran from the store.

Police allege the man fled in a blue Mazda sedan, with flames seen spilling from the vehicle as it drove off.

“Doesn’t seem like he thought it through if he’s also on fire,” Dana Henley, who works at the nearby Hashtag Burgers and Waffles, said.

The car was later found burning near Goodge Ct in Birkdale about 1.5km away, police said.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at Deception Bay.

He was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, where he remains under police guard with injuries believed to have been sustained during the fire.

Police said two firearms were seized during the arrest.

A crime scene declaration remains in place at the Capalaba business and investigations are continuing.

Second fire in less than two weeks

This was the second arson attack on the same business in less than two weeks.

A 28-year-old man from East Ipswich was charged after a similar firebombing at the store 11 days earlier.

Locals said they are rattled by the repeated attacks.

“We’re very lucky in this instance,” Henley said. “But how many more times before we’re not?”

Despite the incident, the store reopened on Friday afternoon.