Old Foodworks on Mitchell Rd, Maidstone deliberately lit on fire

An abandoned Maidstone supermarket has gone up in flames with smoke being smelt up to 6km away, with police treating the cause as suspicious.

An abandoned supermarket has gone up in flames in Melbourne’s northwest.

An abandoned supermarket In Melbourne’s northwest has gone up in flames, with thick black smoke covering wafting as far as 6km away

Emergency services were called to the empty Foodworks premises on Mitchell St in Maidstone at 7.40pm on Monday after receiving multiple triple-0 calls.

Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Mark Carter said his crew arrived on the scene within seven minutes and found the roof of the abandoned Foodworks emitting “black smoke”.

“The firefighters executed an aggressive internal attack wearing breathing apparatus and brought the fire under control within 70 minutes,” he said.

The fire was contained to the single-story supermarket with no occupants reported inside.

Resident Donna Spillane, who lives 6km from the supermarket, said there was a strong smell of smoke in her house.

“We live about 6km away, so I was just surprised I could smell it so strongly,” she said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the cause of fire was considered suspicious, and investigations remain ongoing.

“A crime scene has been set up while emergency services work to establish the fire’s circumstances,” she said.

“Investigators believe that the unoccupied premises on Mitchell St caught fire sometime after 7.30pm.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said they attended the scene for health monitoring.

“No emergency treatment or transport was required,” she said.

This comes the same day after another suspicious shop fire in Oakleigh which left five posh cars damaged from blaze in a luxury car dealership.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au