Police are looking for a suspect in connection with a case of arson at a barber shop in Dartmouth.

Halifax Regional Police and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency were called to Legends Barbershop on Highfield Park Drive shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Witnesses told police that a man had thrown something into the business and it caught fire. The man then fled the scene on foot.

Several police units and a K9 unit responded to the scene, but they were unable to locate the suspect.

"Information was provided to us that shortly before the fire started a man had thrown something into the barbershop, and it's believed that is what caused the fire," said Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const. John MacLeod.

The man is described as five-foot-six inches tall and 200 pounds. He was wearing a blue hooded shirt.

Police remain on scene as the investigation continues.

On Friday, staff were busy cleaning up, but it's not the type of cleaning up they're used to.

They were clearing out burnt equipment and shovelling away ashes and broken glass, after the shop was heavily damaged by the fire.

"I think it's dreadful that somebody would stoop so low to bomb a functioning business in Dartmouth," said customer Max De Souza. "As far as I know, Ceddy is an awesome guy, the rest of the barbers are super friendly, so it's a dreadful shame."

This marks the third time in less than a week that Halifax-area firefighters have responded to a fire caused by an incendiary device.

On Monday morning, police arrested a youth in connection with a suspicious fire at a home in Spryfield that they say was caused by an incendiary device.

Also on Monday, RCMP arrested a 28-year-old man after a trailer in Lake Echo was set on fire.

While police don't think there is any connection between the fires, Halifax fire officials say dealing with these types of cases is extremely dangerous.

"When crews normally go in, we've got certain expectations of how long a fire is going to take, but when you deal with an incendiary fire and accelerants, crews end up dealing with a much larger, hotter and quicker moving fire," said District Fire Chief Dennis Pitts.

A convenience store next door to the barber shop was also damaged in the fire.

As clean-up efforts continue, neighbours say they are shocked by the crime and hope the barber shop bounces back.

"They had a great business going there, a great clientele," said bar owner Dan Latter. "It was actually hard to get in and out of there. They've been our neighbours for a long time, and it's so unfortunate to see something like that around here."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Allan April.