Tobacco chaos erupts with car smash fire
Police are investigating a “suspicious” blaze at a tobacco shop overnight, with shocking photos from the scene showing a smashed up car in the storefront and large-scale fire damage.
The suspected fire bombing hit the shop on High St in Thornbury in Melbourne’s north, with fire crews called to the scene about 3.30am.
No one was inside at the time of the blaze, police said on Sunday morning.
“The fire is being treated as suspicious and a crime scene has been established,” the police said.
“The investigation remains ongoing.”
Photos from the scene show large-scale damage with a smashed-up vehicle smashed in the front of the shop.
The fire-scarred store is littered with broken glass and wreckage, with police officers and fire crews seen inspecting the taped-off scene.
Victorian Police have been battling suspected underworld activity in Melbourne’s illicit tobacco trade for months, with several tobacco shops hit by arson attacks.
Arson attacks have hit 59 shops selling tobacco across Victoria.
Taskforce Lunar was established in October 2023 to investigate organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in the illicit trade.
Detectives have arrested 62 people so far as a result of their investigations and more than 100 search warrants have been executed on properties linked to illicit tobacco.
