Richmond Arson Fire
Police Investigate Arson as Ram Raid Ignites Major Fire at Ten Richmond Businesses in Melbourne
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Key Points
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A tobacconist shop in Richmond was the target of a ram raid and firebombing.
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Police say unknown offenders rammed a vehicle into a business and set it alight; the targeted premises was unoccupied at the time, with storefronts on either side damaged and a white car protruding from the building.
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A neighbor described the scene as disconcerting, noting it’s unclear whether his own business was damaged and highlighting concerns about the impact on local customers as the street was closed.
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There was an outpouring of community support for a local Melbourne suburban footballer who was critically injured during a match and is receiving end-of-life care.
A suspected arson attack ripped through Richmond's Victoria Street in inner Melbourne just after 4:15am Monday, destroying or damaging at least 10 businesses. Unknown offenders rammed a vehicle into a tobacconist shop, then set it alight, according to Head Topics.
More than 80 firefighters and nearly 30 fire trucks battled the blaze. Police are treating the incident as arson and have established a crime scene. A white car was left protruding from the damaged storefront as investigators moved in.
Ram Raid and Firebomb Target Tobacco Shop at Dawn
The attack began when unknown offenders drove a vehicle directly into a shop on Victoria Street. They then set the premises on fire, The New Daily reported. The targeted shop was unoccupied at the time. Businesses on either side of the rammed store also suffered damage in the incident.
Police allege the fire was deliberately lit — a tactic consistent with what authorities have described as ongoing "tobacco wars" across Melbourne. The term refers to a string of firebombings and attacks linked to illegal tobacco trade disputes, according to Narrogin Observer.
80 Firefighters Deploy as Flames Spread Across 10 Businesses
Fire crews arrived quickly but faced a fast-moving blaze. Over 80 firefighters and 25 fire trucks were deployed to the scene, according to Midwest Times. Flames and heavy smoke spread through the strip, damaging at least 10 businesses in total.
Crews managed to stop the fire from jumping to neighboring buildings. VicEmergency issued a smoke advisory for the surrounding area. Victoria Street was closed to traffic, and tram services through the area were also suspended while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Neighbors Left Uncertain as Street Closes and Trade Stops
Local business owners were shaken by the attack. One neighbor described the scene as "disconcerting," saying it was unclear whether his own shop had been damaged. With Victoria Street shut down, he also raised concerns about what the closure meant for his customers and daily trade.
The closure hit the broader community hard. Victoria Street is a busy inner-city strip lined with restaurants and shops. With tram services cut and police tape across the precinct, local commuters and business owners faced a difficult start to the week, according to Head Topics.
Police Investigate as Tobacco War Attacks Continue to Escalate
Police have established a crime scene and are actively investigating. The offenders had fled before emergency services arrived. No arrests had been announced as of early Monday morning. Authorities have not yet named any suspects, according to Countryman.
The attack is the latest in a series of firebombings tied to the illegal tobacco trade in Victoria. Investigators are working to identify the vehicle used in the ram raid and trace those responsible. The pattern of attacks has prompted growing concern from both police and local business communities across Melbourne, Narrogin Observer reported.
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