A tobacco shop in Melbourne's southeastern suburb of Mentone has been completely destroyed in a brazen firebombing attack, the third such incident targeting the business in a mere six weeks, signalling a dangerous escalation in the city's tobacco turf wars.
Residents Awakened by Brazen Attack
Neighbours were jolted awake around 11pm on Friday by the sound of arsonists ramming a vehicle into the shopfront. One resident recounted to 7NEWS, "I thought someone was trying to get into our apartment." The attack was swift and devastating. "Within about five minutes, it was up in flames. I just heard the building shook. It was shaking. And the cat jumped, and I then started smelling smoke and hearing sirens," another witness described.
Fire Crews Battle Blaze and Structural Collapse
Firefighters faced significant challenges when they arrived, battling the inferno amid concerns of structural damage and potential collapse within the building. The situation forced the evacuation of residents living in apartments above the shop overnight, while businesses on the ground floor were left without power.
Community and Business Fallout
The ripple effects of the attack were felt immediately by neighbouring businesses. Staff at a nearby salon were forced to close their doors, unable to access their appointment systems due to the internet outage. "We have no internet. We can't access our appointment book," the shop manager said. In a show of community spirit, another local salon offered their space, allowing the business to continue operating for the day.
This incident marks the third time the tobacconist has been targeted, following previous attacks on August 30 and October 3. Detective Sergeant Grant Lewis from Victoria Police confirmed that investigations into all three attacks are ongoing and remain unsolved. Local residents expressed frustration, with one stating the violence has been a regular occurrence since the shop opened. "Ever since they opened that shop, it's just been going on. Firebombing, trying to break in. It's a smoke war," the local said.
