Norlane smoke shop damaged by blaze a month after nearby double attack

The tobacco wars appear to be heating up in Geelong’s northern suburbs, after a suspicious fire broke out on Tuesday morning just doors down from another outlet that was targeted twice in November. SEE THE VIDEO.

A suspicious early morning blaze targeting a tobacco outlet in Norlane on Tuesday morning occurred just doors down from another shop that was attacked twice last month.

Emergency services were called to a fire at Donny Mini Market on Donnybrook Road around 1.20am, with Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews finding the building fully engulfed in flames upon arrival.

Aerial support was used to extinguish the fire from the rear and the scene was deemed under control just before 2am.

Crime of possible tobacco wars linked arson attack. Picture: Alan Barber

However, crews were called back to the scene when the blaze briefly reignited just before 8.30am, with smoke seen billowing from the convenience store.

Donnybrook Rd was closed between Stonehaven Rd and Korumburra Close as crews worked to control the blaze.

An arson chemist was expected to examine the scene.

One shop worker from along the strip said they were unsurprised by the incident, which is being treated as suspicious.

A Norlane resident said they suspected other stores would be targeted, which made them fear for their child’s safety.

Picture: Alan Barber

“It’s especially scary with kids around,” she said.

“It makes you wonder who could be next.”

Another Norlane local said the attacks were “only getting worse”.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” he said.

The scene remained a crime scene on Tuesday afternoon.

The blaze comes after two ram raid arson attacks on a shop five doors down from the mini market in November.

While signed as Donnybrook Hair Salon, it is understood the outlet sold illegal cigarettes.

The shop was attacked twice in one week, with both incidents involving a car smashing into the building before the vehicle was set alight.

Donnybrook Hair Salon was attacked by arsonists twice in one week in November. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Police said at the time the investigation was in the hands of the Lunar Taskforce, a special unit probing the underworld battle raging through the illegal tobacco trade.

The three Donnybrook Road attacks occurred at an almost identical time.

Police said they plan to investigate whether the Donny Mini Market fire is linked to the November arson attacks.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Norlane smoke shop damaged by blaze a month after nearby double attack