Wangaratta shop fire: Woman and dogs rescued from Murphy Street blaze
A Wangaratta gift shop has been cordoned off after it went up in flames for a second time, leaving a woman and her dogs trapped inside.
Albury Wodonga
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A woman and her two dogs have been rescued after they were trapped inside a burning shop in Wangaratta overnight, with police investigating the suspicious blaze.
Fire Rescue Victoria crews, supported by the CFA, responded to the fire at a Wangaratta gift shop — Ramseen Gifts — at 12.54am following a single call to triple-0.
Firefighters found the front of the shop on fire, with a woman trapped inside with her dogs.
The trio was rescued from the building, while crews worked to contain the fire to front of the shop near the doorway.
The fire was deemed suspicious, and the Fire Investigation Unit was notified.
A man who works at a business nearby, who asked not to be named, said Ramseen Gifts had been targeted frequently in the past.
On this occasion, the man believed a molotov cocktail was thrown at the front of the building.
He said, previously, young teens broke the windows to the shop in order to get vapes.
The woman who was inside the building at the time of the fire with her dogs is understood to now staying at a friend’s place.
A gift shop on High St in Wodonga, owned by the same people of Ramseen Gifts, was also targeted just before 12.30am on Thursday morning, the nearby businessman said.
Meanwhile, a car crashed into the back gate of the place he works at early on Tuesday morning.
“You don’t know what’s going on out there,” he said.
He was concerned for the woman and the neighbouring businesses of Wangaratta, saying it was a warning to the public and advising people to “look out” for strange behaviour.
It is yet to be confirmed if the Wangaratta and Wodonga incidents are linked.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics were called to the fire but no emergency treatment or transport was required.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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