Como Parade: Melbourne tobacco store hit by car, massive blaze overnight
A tobacco shop in Melbourne’s southeast has been destroyed by fire after a car filled with flammable liquid was driven into the store.
Victoria Police alleged the car was set alight after it was crashed through the front of the tobacco store on Como Parade in Mentone late on Friday.
The offenders left the scene in another vehicle.
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This was the second time in three months the store has gone up in flames.
Emergency services were called to the Mentone Station Tobacconist on Como Parade West a little after 10.50pm where fire crews found the two storey brick building containing a shop fully alight, with fires threatening adjoining business on the strip.
At 11.30pm fire crews gained entry to the building and attacked the fire inside, before bringing it under control about 1 hour and 40 minutes after the fire services first arrived on the scene.
No one was injured and all nearby residents were safely evacuated.
Emergency services remained on the scene in the morning after the attack.
Investigations into Friday night’s incident remain ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
Originally published as Melbourne tobacco store hit by car, massive blaze overnight
