Woodville Gardens fruit shop destroyed by fire, abandoned CBD building targeted in arson attack

An empty historic CBD building that was a well-known pub until a few years ago has been destroyed in an arson attack.

A Woodville Gardens fruit shop was destroyed by fire on Sunday night, while a historic CBD building has gone up in flames in an arson attack.

Fire crews attended the Hanson Rd fruit shop about 7.45pm on Sunday night, to find the business ablaze and smoke affecting an adjoining pharmacy.

A fruit shop has been destroyed by fire overnight in Woodville Gardens. Picture: Tom Huntley

Destroyed fruit outside the Woodville Gardens shop. Picture: Tom Huntley

The fire was promptly extinguished, but not before extensive damage was caused to the building.

It was originally deemed to be deliberately lit, but further investigation found the fire was not suspicious.

Later on Sunday night, abandoned historic pub Hotel Wright St on the corner of Wright St and Crompton St in the city was set on fire. It’s been empty for several years.

MFS crews responded to calls about 1am, and took more than an hour to extinguish the fire that investigators said was deliberately lit.

Fire-cause investigators will return to the scene on Monday morning.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.