MENTONE, VIC. — Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to an incident on Lower Dandenong Road, Mentone at 4.04am after callers to Triple Zero (000) reported a shop fire.
A local Mentone resident said the incident was extremely out of character for the suburb.
“It’s a pretty quiet area, generally this doesn’t happen, it’s a bit shocking,” he told 774 ABC Melbourne radio.
“It’s terrible for the shops next door, because it’s not just the cigarette shop gets destroyed, it looks like another two shops there.”
The response was escalated with crews, assisted by CFA, using multiple hose lines to attack the fire.
Crews also responded to live powerlines that had caught fire and come down across the roadway. A ruptured gas line was also on fire.
The shop is suspected of being an illicit tobacco store, according to police, and sustained extensive damage, although firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to adjoining shops.
A search of the building was conducted. No one was found.
The incident was deemed under control at 4.36am.
A crime scene is now in place as Victoria Police investigate, and Lower Dandenong Road has been closed to eastbound traffic.
A total of 10 appliances were committed to the firefight.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au.
