Firefighters battle 10-shop blaze in Melbourne after ‘ram raid’

Firefighters brought a major blaze under control across ten businesses on a popular inner-city strip in Melbourne on Monday morning, after Triple Zero received reports of a fire shortly after 4:15am.

More than 80 firefighters and almost 30 trucks from Fire Rescue Victoria were deployed to Victoria Street, Richmond, as flames ripped through a single building. Crews contained the fire before it could spread to adjacent properties.

Victoria Police said they are “investigating a ram raid and fire”, with a spokesperson confirming it is believed “unknown offenders drove a vehicle into the business before setting the building alight” and fleeing the scene.

A white car can be seen protruding from the front of the building, believed to be the vehicle used in the incident.

The targeted premises was unoccupied at the time, though shopfronts on either side sustained damage, the spokesperson said.

VicEmergency has issued a community safety alert for thick smoke affecting the area, which could be seen pouring from the site well into daylight hours.

Victoria Street is closed to all traffic between Church and Hoddle streets and three tram routes suspended.

Police have established a crime scene and are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward with information.

This is a developing story and this article will be updated.

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