Another Adelaide tobacco shop targeted in suspected arson attack at Pooraka
Another tobacco shop has been targeted in a suspected arson attack in Adelaide’s suburbs.
SA News
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Another tobacco shop has been targeted in a suspected arson attack in Adelaide’s suburbs.
Just before 1.15am on Friday, police and fire crews were called to DokhKan Market on Bridge Rd, Pooraka, to reports of a fire at a business.
Images of the tobacconist business show a burnt out shop front and a mattress, believed to be used as fuel for the fire.
The fire was put out before it caused extensive damage but crime scene investigators are at the scene and police believe the fire was deliberately lit.
One witness told FIVEAA the fire took hold very quickly and went up “like a bomb”.
Business owner Kim Tanska from Australian Muscle: The Gym – which is situated next to the tobacconist – said police shut down the smokes store about two weeks ago.
Mr Tanska said since the closure he had not expected it to become the target of a suspected firebombing.
However, after reviewing his CCTV he saw that the moment the suspected firebomb exploded, followed by two people running away.
Fortunately, none of the nearby businesses, which include the gym, a healthcare clinic and a pathology site, suffered any serious damage.
Meanwhile, Tayler Crowhurst said he was dropping his dad off at the clinic for a blood test when he saw the aftermath of the alleged arson attack.
Mr Crowhurst said he was shocked by it as he considered Pooraka to have a low crime rate.
“Around here, this area is generally a bit quiet … I’m just a bit shocked, I didn’t expect it to happen,” he said.
Police say investigators on Friday morning found a staff member at the premises at the time of the fire.
The 32-year-old man was arrested by patrols for allegedly hindering police but is not suspected of starting the fire.
Investigations are in the early stages and police are working to establish if there are any links to Operation Eclipse – a police crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade in SA.
It comes after a separate fire last month at a Pennington shop selling smoking products was damaged as a mattress at the front of the business was doused in an accelerant and set alight.
Last week, The Advertiser reported Operation Eclipse had so far resulted in the arrest of 17 people for offences including money laundering, blackmail, serious criminal trespass and arson. Officers in the taskforce have conducted 49 searches on homes and businesses, seized three guns, almost $900,000 in cash, almost $4 million in tobacco products and six vehicles.
Originally published as Another Adelaide tobacco shop targeted in suspected arson attack at Pooraka
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