Hume Tobacconist and Groceries destroyed in suspected arson, marking the 97th illicit tobacco-related fire in Melbourne since last year.
Police are investigating a shop fire and ram raid that occurred in Sydenham overnight.
Emergency services were called to Aqua Gardens Shopping Centre just before 4 a.m. on Saturday following reports of a fire.
The shopfront and interior of Hume Tobacconist and Groceries, which seems to have formerly operated as a milkbar, were completely destroyed.
Fortunately, no one was inside the store at the time of the incident.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. The fire is being treated as suspicious, and a crime scene has been established.
This marks the 97th illicit tobacco-related fire in Melbourne since March of last year.
Lunar detectives have arrested 80 individuals connected to the ongoing turf war, but they anticipate further unrest across the state as exiled crime boss Kazem Hamad continues to exert influence from the Middle East.
Hamad is widely believed to be a key figure behind the illicit market conflict, which pits him against established tobacco king Fadi Haddara.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
