RICHMOND, VIC. — Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to an incident in Bridge Road, Richmond at 3.31am after callers to Triple Zero (000) reported a shop fire.
Trams were suspended, and Bridge Road, Richmond, has been closed as a crime scene, as police investigate a suspicious fire at a tobacco store. Trams that use Bridge Rd may divert.
Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find the ground-floor double-storey – a suspected illicit tobacco ‘smoke’ shop duplex -impacted by fire. The fire was contained to the western side of the duplex.
The response was escalated with crews wearing breathing apparatus, attacking the ground floor with three hose lines.
Firefighters conducted a search of both floors and found no occupants. Three people had safely evacuated from the 1st floor on the eastern side of the duplex.
Richmond resident Sam lives nearby and said he was woken by the fire about 3.30am, he told ABC News.
“You kind of see it happening everywhere else and it hasn’t happened in this particular area, it’s just disappointing,” he said.
“I’ve got three young kids, it’s not something I want on the doorstep of where I live.”
The fire was contained to the alleged illicit smoke shop.
Victoria Police has closed Bridge Road in both directions from Lennox Street to Church Street. It is expected to remain closed for the day.
The incident was deemed under control at 4.27am.
The fire has been deemed suspicious.
Firefighters remained on scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
