Two buildings in flames on the same Melbourne street in separate early-morning blazes
Fire crews battled two separate blazes on the same street in Melbourne's north in the early hours of Friday.
Thirty-metre high flames engulfed the two-storey New Europe Restaurant on High Street, Preston as fire crews battled for an hour to control the blaze.
A team of 44 firefighters arrived about 1am to find the upstairs level destroyed and significant damage downstairs.
People sleeping metres away in neighbouring homes were evacuated and the street shut down as the firefighters brought the blaze under control.
It is believed the fire was sparked by a faulty air conditioner, a MFB spokesperson said.
Fire Fighters used aerial appliances to extinguish the fire and found nobody inside at the time.
The same restaurant was a target of gunfire last October when two men allegedly shot eight bullets into the ceiling.
Fire crews also worked to put out a smaller fire which broke out at an accounting firm down the street.
No injuries were reported as a result to either fire and police believe the fires were not related.
News break – July 9
