Frankfurt  - An unemployed German outraged at the soaring price of fuel set fire to his own car Friday in front of the German city of Frankfurt's most iconic skyscraper.

Police said he parked the car near the 63-storey Messeturm building, poured a canister of petrol over it and set it alight. Signs taped to the car said, "Petrol Speculators!" and showed an internet address.

By the time police and fire crews arrived, the car had been gutted.

Police arrested the man, 30, who came from neighbouring Bavaria state, and said he would probably be charged with arson, even though the car was his own. He told the police he was protesting against the soaring cost of motor fuel.

The Messeturm, a lone tower dominating its own plaza and a main street, is generally ranked the second tallest office building in Germany after the slightly taller Commerzbank Tower in the crowded Frankfurt banking district nearby. (dpa)