Thomson milk bar hit twice Norlane shop firebombed again, fears tobacco wars taking hold in Geelong

The tobacco wars appear to be setting Geelong ablaze after a Thomson milk bar and Norlane store were both hit not once, but twice, in suspected arson attacks.

Geelong is being set ablaze as the tobacco wars appear to be taking hold in the city with a series of repeated, brazen and dangerous arson attacks at the weekend.

Not one, but two stores, were firebombed for a second time – a milk bar in Thomson attacked on Friday morning and again on Sunday morning, and a store in Norlane hit by a ram raid arson attack on Saturday just a week after an identical attack.

On Sunday morning just after 4.30am, Thomson convenience store Lucky 7 was set on fire in a suspicious blaze just two days after first going up in flames.

A spokesman from Victoria Police said Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating the scene.

“It is believed that unknown offenders used an accelerant to light a fire at the front of the premises on Boundary Rd about 3am on November 8,” the spokesman said.

“The premises was again set alight by unknown offenders about 4.30am on November 10.

“No one was inside the store at the time of the fires but the store was extensively damaged.

“A crime scene has been established and an arson chemist will attend the location today.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A convenience store has gone up in flames twice in Thomson. Picture: Satria Dyer-Darmawan

A spokesman from Fire Rescue Victoria said the shop on Boundary Rd was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene on Sunday.

Wearing breathing apparatus, crews worked swiftly to contain the fire.

No injuries were reported and the power company was required to isolate power.

The incident was under control just after 5am and was deemed suspicious and handed to Victoria Police.

The Thomson store has gone up in flames twice in three days. Picture: Satria Dyer-Darmawan

Meanwhile, a second ram raid arson attack in just a week destroyed a Norlane smoke shop.

Exactly seven days after the first targeted hit, the store again had a car smashed into it before the vehicle was set alight, with the flames spreading throughout the premises, destroying much of the interior.

Like the first attack, the second also took place in the dead of night, with emergency services called to Donnybrook Rd about 1.40am on Saturday morning.

On Sunday police said the investigation was now in the hands of the Lunar Taskforce, a special unit probing the underworld battle raging through the illegal tobacco trade.

In the first incident at the store, the car smashed into a security rollerdoor and came to a stop outside the store, where it was then set alight.

Last week’s car fire at the Donnybrook Rd shop, which was hit again seven days later. Picture: Supplied

In the second attack the vehicle has penetrated the shop’s interior. On Saturday morning the burnt car was still resting inside.

A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said investigators had cordoned off the area and set up a crime scene.

The cordoned-off area on Saturday, after the second attack. Picture: Satria Dyer-Darmawan

“It is expected an arson chemist and detectives will attend the scene today,” she said.

“Police will investigate whether the damage and fire are linked to any other recent incidents.”

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes after calls from members of the public reporting a vehicle and a shop were on fire.

“Wearing breathing apparatus, crews searched the shops and found no occupants,” the spokesman said.

“Firefighters, supported by CFA, worked together to attack the fire, bringing the scene under control at 2.12am.

“Crews were successful in containing the fire to the building of origin and prevented extension to shops on either side.”

Police and SES were on scene to assist.

The council was notified and a building surveyor will attend during daylight hours.

The scene was handed to Victoria Police to investigate.

The aftermath of the first attack on November 3. Picture: Mark Wilson

Police on Sunday said there was nothing yet to suggested all the incidents were linked but that investigations remained ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or with information or dashcam is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More to come.

Originally published as Thomson milk bar hit twice Norlane shop firebombed again, fears tobacco wars taking hold in Geelong