PORT MELBOURNE, VIC. — Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews responded to a Chery car dealership on fire in Plummer Street, Port Melbourne, at 4:48am this morning, following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) reporting the fire.
The Plummer Street dealership opened last Friday, May 1, and its owners said it was Australia’s largest dealership selling Chery cars, a Chinese manufacturer. It was scheduled to hold its official opening tomorrow, but that has now been postponed.
The car dealership is located next to an alcohol distribution centre, Liquor Logistics Pty Ltd and follows a spate of arson attacks on liquor stores, nightclubs, pubs and bars in Melbourne’s inner city.
ABC Radio Melbourne (3LO) station reporter Kate Meade said that “the front windows have been smashed and jerry cans have been used to pour fuel on the floor and lit it up.”
“I can smell and taste the burnt rubber,” Meade said on 3LO.
Dealership manager Victor Sargin told Kate Meade that the main damage to the site appeared to be smoke-related.
“It looks like they’ve poured some fuel on the floor [and] lit it up,” he said.
“Luckily, the floors are hard floors, so those flames have only caught onto some furniture and the reception desk at the front.
“It does look like one particular car has caught on fire, but at this point in time, it looks like a lot of smoke damage rather than anything else.”
Mr Sargin said he was unsure of the motivation behind the fire and that no threats had been made.
Firefighters arrived on scene within 3 minutes, finding a building full of smoke and escalating the response.
FRV crews donned breathing apparatus and made entry to find fire involved with 3 cars and heavy smoke filling the showroom.
No occupants were present. The fire was deemed under control by 5:23am.
The cause of the fire has been deemed suspicious. It will be investigated by the Victoria Police Arson squad.
Firefighters remain on scene to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and mop up.
Officers have not yet confirmed whether the incident will be investigated by the specialist Operation Eclipse task force.
Plummer St remains closed in both directions.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Kate Meade (ABC Radio Melbourne/3LO) contributed to this report.
