Posted
A tobacco store in Fitzroy North was completely destroyed by a fire on Monday morning. (ABC News: Costa Haritos)
In short:
A fire that destroyed a tobacco shop in Melbourne's north is being treated as suspicious by police.
Residents near the Fitzroy North shop say they were woken by the sound of explosions just before 4am.
Investigators believe the shop was broken into and deliberately set alight, and are appealing for those with information to come forward.
Police are investigating a suspicious fire that gutted a tobacco store in Fitzroy North and woke residents with loud explosions.
Emergency services were called to reports of explosions on St Georges Road about 3:45am and arrived to find the shop completely engulfed in flames.
Residents say the sound of explosions could be heard as the fire burned this morning. (ABC News: Costa Haritos)
Firefighters attempted to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring properties, with two other businesses also damaged.
No one was inside the tobacco store, which was completely destroyed by the fire.
One nearby resident said she and her partner heard and smelled the fire before seeing it, after being woken in the middle of the night.
"It sounded like sparks going off in different areas of the neighbourhood, and then two minutes later, just a massive explosion," she said.
"We went outside our front door and it was big, black smoke coming across."
Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, but were unable to prevent two neighbouring businesses being damaged by the fire. (ABC News: Costa Haritos)
A crime scene has been established, and investigators believe one or multiple offenders broke into the shop and set it alight.
A dark-coloured vehicle was seen leaving the scene by witnesses.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
The Fitzroy North fire is the latest in a string of suspicious fires being investigated by police.
Last week, Victoria Police said a targeted operation was working to drive down arsons across the state and had made more than 160 arrests this year.