Police searching for offenders who set fire to the vacant Noah’s Multicultural grocery store on Tarwin St in Morwell

Police are on hunt for offenders who set alight a vacant grocery store in Morwell in the early hours of the morning.

Police are on hunt for offenders who set alight the vacant Noah’s Multicultural grocery store on Tarwin St in Morwell just before 4am on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at a vacant grocery store in the Latrobe Valley.

Emergency services were called to Noah’s Multicultural on Tarwin St in Morwell just before 4am on Thursday.

A police spokeswoman said offenders broke into the building before setting it alight, causing minor damage.

A crime scene was established at the Tarwin St property on Thursday morning. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“No arrests have been made and a crime scene has been established,” she said.

Bits of glass and other debris were scattered across the front of the shop.

A Morwell man, who asked not to be named, said the property had been empty for about two months.

He said the offenders involved had “nothing better to do”.

Minor damage was done to the front of the premises. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Investigations by Latrobe CIU detectives are ongoing.

A tobacco store on Commercial Rd was targeted in February this year as part of the ongoing tobacco wars.

A tobacco store on Commercial Rd in Morwell was also targeted by offenders on February 14 this year. Picture: Jack Colantuono

A tobacconist on Lloyd St in Moe was also set alight twice — the first incident taking place on Christmas Day last year and the second on September 10 this year.

Anyone with more information, witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or has CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, submit a confidential report here or contact the Morwell police station on [phone].