Police appeal for information following series of arsons at Melbourne hospitality venues

Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are appealing for public assistance following a series of suspicious fires at hospitality venues across metropolitan Melbourne over the last week.

Police are investigating any potential links between the incidents and what the potential motivation might be.

The arsons are being investigated by Victoria Police regional and specialist units including the Arson and Explosives Squad as the state’s specialist fire investigators.

The incidents include:

• An attempted arson at a licensed premises on Londsdale Street around 5.45am on Tuesday, 14 April.
• A fire at a licensed premises on York Street in South Melbourne around 3am on Wednesday, 15 April. Detectives from Stonnington CIU arrested a 25-year-old Coburg man in relation this incident this morning. He will now be interviewed by police.
• A fire at licensed premises on Commercial Road in South Yarra around 4.20am on Thursday, 16 April.
• An attempted arson at a licensed premises on Cecil Street in South Melbourne around 4.20am on Thursday, 16 April.
• A drive-by shooting at a licensed premises on Lonsdale Street about 4.10am this morning. A shot was fired from a dark-coloured vehicle towards the premises. Nobody was physically injured during the incident.
• An arson at licensed premises on Southbank Boulevard around 4.20am this morning. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were later arrested by the Critical Incident Response Team in Balwyn around 5am. They are currently being interviewed by investigators from Melbourne CIU.

Detectives are urging anyone with any information on who is responsible, the motivation behind the attacks or those carrying out the arsons to come forward and speak to police.

Police are also urging anyone out in the Melbourne CBD and surrounding inner suburbs, including the Chapel Street precinct in Stonnington and Port Phillip local government area, to remain alert this weekend, and to call Triple-0 immediately if you see anything suspicious.

Anyone who witnessed any of the incidents, with footage or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad:

“We have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of fire and the potential for those lighting them to suffer life changing or fatal injuries.

“Despite that, we have seen arsonists die or suffer serious and life changing injuries as a consequence of being paid very little money compared to the value of a life.

“Fire is incredibly unpredictable – those who are responsible are risking their lives, the lives of an innocent community around them as well as people’s livelihoods. It is unacceptable.

“Please – if you’re out in metropolitan Melbourne and particularly entertainment precincts this weekend – call triple zero if you see anything suspicious. That could be a car that’s driving too slowly, people behaving oddly or something that just doesn’t look right.

“I would implore anyone who knows anything about these incidents to visit us and tell us what you know before we visit them. It can be done anonymously if you wish via Crime Stoppers.”

Media Unit
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