When a tobacco shop opened next door, a Melbourne couple’s dream cafe went up in smoke: ‘It felt like a warzone’
A Melbourne couple's new vegan cafe was severely damaged in a suspected arson attack targeting a neighboring tobacco shop. The incident is part of a broader wave of firebombings linked to illicit tobacco trade in the city.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the collateral damage caused by organized crime syndicates operating within the tobacco retail sector in Australia.
Victoria police establish a crime scene after a fire at a tobacco shop in Fitzroy North in Melbourne on Monday that also damaged neighbouring businesses, including a vegan cafe. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP Victoria police establish a crime scene after a fire at a tobacco shop in Fitzroy North in Melbourne on Monday that also damaged neighbouring businesses, including a vegan cafe. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP Melbourne When a tobacco shop opened next door, a Melbourne couple’s dream cafe went up in smoke: ‘It felt like a warzone’ A vegan cafe in Fitzroy North is the latest victim of a spate of suspected firebombings of tobacconists
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