A fire that engulfed the abandoned RPSCA building on Deakin Ave is being treated as suspicious by police

A raging inferno at an abandoned building in Mildura drew crowds and emergency services on Wednesday night, with police investigating the cause.

Deakin Ave fire at abandoned building. Picture: Supplied

A ferocious blaze that engulfed an abandoned building on one of Mildura’s main streets drawing a big crowd of onlookers is being investigated by police.

The fire started around 9.30pm on Deakin Ave between 12th St and Boyden St, with police closing one side of Deakin Ave as firefighters battled the inferno.

Emergency services closed off one side of Deakin Ave as firefighters battled the blaze. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

“The flames were huge, and the smoke was so thick. The police and fireys arrived so quick though. Lucky really,” one bystander said.

Surrounding buildings remained unscathed, but the Herald Sun understands the nearby KFC was broken into on Wednesday night.

FRV and CFA had the inferno under control in just over an hour.

“The scene was deemed Under Control at 10.27pm. Firefighters conducted a search of the property, and no one was located inside. The incident was deemed suspicious, and the scene handed to Victoria Police,” a FRV spokesperson said.

The Deakin Ave side of 12th St through to Boyden St remains taped off as police investigate the scene. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Police have been investigating the scene through the night and into the morning, with the corner of 12th St to the corner of Boyden St taped off.

Mildura police have been canvassing surrounding business asking to view their CCTV on Thursday morning.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with information or with CCTV/dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au