Fire authorities warn it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt as Victoria's tobacco turf war escalates, with two more shops targeted in the early hours of Friday.
Offenders broke into a tobacco shop on Sydney Road in Coburg and set it alight just before 4:30am. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and aggressively attacked the fire to prevent it from spreading to neighbouring shops.
An hour earlier, offenders used a car to smash into the security roller shutters of a store on Paisley Street in Footscray. FRV commander Paul Eckholdt said it was lucky no one was hurt in either incident. 'It is a worry for FRV, the amount of these fires that are occurring,' Commander Eckholdt said.
Commander Eckholdt noted that offenders are using accelerants in stores, often below multi-storey apartments, showing no concern for residents. Investigations will be handed over to Victoria Police's Taskforce Lunar, a unit set up to investigate tobacco-related crime.
Police confirmed there have been 65 arson attacks on tobacco stores in Victoria since March 2023, with Taskforce Lunar making 65 arrests. Victoria is considered the epicentre of an international tobacco war involving bikie gangs and international crime syndicates, some operating illegal tobacco syndicates and orchestrating arson attacks from overseas.
A convenience store on Chapel Street was set alight on Thursday morning, causing smoke and water damage to a nearby nightclub. The club's owner, Mr. Dinghra, said the club had to cancel its reopening party after $15,000 worth of DJ equipment was destroyed. He expressed fear of another late-night arson attack when the club is filled with people.
