BRUNSWICK, VIC. — At 9.43pm, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) firefighters responded to an incident on Prentice Street, Brunswick, after a caller to Triple Zero (000) reported a building fire.
Firefighters arrived to find flames issuing from a single-storey brick building that housed a bicycle shop.
Witnesses have described hearing explosions coming from inside the Brunswick bike shop as a fire destroyed the business.
Volunteers from The Big Umbrella Foundation, a street meals service, were inside a neighbouring property at the time.
One volunteer, Lucy, said they were packing up for the night when they heard what they thought was a car alarm going off.
Crews fought the fire with multiple hose lines and an aerial appliance, known as a teleboom.
The building was flanked by tilt slab constructions on both sides, which firefighters protected from the blaze.
No one was inside the building at the time of the fire.
The incident was deemed Under Control at 11.06pm.
The building sustained significant damage in the fire.
The cause is yet to be determined, but it will be investigated by the police.
A Community advice message was issued for smoke in the area.
Firefighters remained on scene overnight.
