Middle Eastern restaurant ‘fully alight’ in Preston

Fire has ripped through a Middle Eastern restaurant in Preston, with a group of four people seen fleeing the scene of the suspicious blaze.

A Middle Eastern restaurant has gone up in flames in Preston, with a group of people seen fleeing the scene of the suspicious blaze.

Police have cordoned off restaurant Shawarmaster on High St after the fire broke out about 4.30am Thursday.

Police have been told a group of people were seen fleeing the scene.

Police said investigations were ongoing into the exact cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious at this stage.

The front glass door of the restaurant has been shattered with glass spilt onto the footpath.

Firefighters wearing oxygen masks are still working inside the restaurant.

Thirty five firefighters arrived at the restaurant on the corner of High and David streets to battle the blaze about 4.30am.

The glass door of the restaurant was shattered. Photo: Himangi Singh

“Fire crews will be on scene for several hours extinguishing the fire,” said a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the inferno.

A neighbour, who wished to stay anonymous, said she woke up to multiple sirens about 4.30am.
“We live across the road from the restaurant and could see flames mainly in the back of the building; it was pretty huge,” she said.
“I was really saddened because it’s someone’s business. At least it happened pretty late in the night so nobody was in there.

“I was really concerned for the houses in the back of the restaurant because the fire was burning quite close to them.”

The Herald Sun understands after the fire broke out, four people were seen evading the scene on foot.

Roads were closed on High St from Gower St to Bell St, Preston on Thursday morning.

A smoke warning was issued to local residents.