Shocking footage has emerged of a man setting fire to a Pilates studio in a suspected string of arson attacks on the NSW Central Coast. The man was caught on CCTV pouring a trail of fuel and igniting it, nearly being engulfed in a massive fireball as the shockwave blew out a panel on a neighbouring business.
Details of the Incident
The footage, released as police appeal for information on Wednesday, appears to show the man using a hammer to smash through the front glass door of the studio before dousing it in fuel. Firefighters and police arrived at the studio on The Entrance Rd in Erina about 4:30am on January 21. About 45 minutes later, a second fire was reported at another studio about 17km north on Enterprise Dr in Berkely Vale. Both blazes were extinguished soon after but caused significant damage to both studios. No injuries were reported. A sedan was found well alight later that morning, as police probe possible links between the incidents.
Police Investigation
The Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit took over investigations under Strike Force Fredonia. Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said the attacks may have been targeted, with both studios owned by the same person. The Erina studio was also subject to another suspected arson attack in March 2025, just over a week after a hairdressing salon was also set alight.
“We think there’s a dispute between business owners,” Arbinja said. “The first incident that occurred in 2025 we believe is the origin of that dispute, so this seems to be sort of a back and forth.” Possible links to outlaw motorcycle gangs are also being investigated. “Police suspect the people who committed the offences have been hired to commit those offences,” he said.
Appeal for Information
Inquiries have continued in the months since, leading to a plea for help. Anyone with information relating to any of the incidents, or a white Mitsubishi SUV and black Subaru Impreza also seen in the CCTV footage, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
