‘Explosions’ at Frankston tattoo parlour after firebombing
Owners and staff have surveyed the damage at a Frankston tattoo parlour gutted by explosions and a suspicious blaze after it was firebombed overnight. It comes as a witness said she heard a car speeding away from the shopping strip.
South East
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A Frankston tattoo parlour has been rocked by a firebombing in the early hours of this morning.
Emergency services were called to Old School Tattoo in Shaxton Circle after reports of an explosion about 12.50am.
A woman who was first on the scene said she heard glass smashing before a car made a quick getaway from the shopping strip.
“As I was walking out I saw a car speeding away and there was a small fire,” the lady, who asked to remain anonymous said.
“It sounded like they were smashing the windows and then they put something in the shop to cause the fire.”
A neighbour from across the road said she came out shortly after and saw the small fire which quickly erupted into a massive blaze.
“Once it really started and got big the glass started to break away from the shop,” she said.
“Within a couple of minutes a couple of fire trucks arrived, but the blaze was enormous.”
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She said it was “such a shame and so sad” for the owners, and it came as a surprise given the area is so quiet.
“It’s a lovely area and such a tight knit community you don’t expect something like this to happen,” she said.
Remarkably shops on either side weren’t badly damaged by the fire but have suffered smoke damage.
Owners and employees of the parlour are currently surveying the damage to the shop, but refused to comment or answer questions.
The landlord and insurance company have also visited the property.
The tattoo parlour had recently undergone renovations and it’s understood upgrades were still being made.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the building was extensively damaged but no one was inside at the time.
Baxter fire brigade captain Willmott said it was a “strange incident”, which crews brought under control in about 20 minutes.
He said the fire was contained to the front of the shop, but there was extensive charring and damage throughout the building.
He said a window at the front of the shop was smashed by the fire and neighbouring businesses Yummy Pizza and The Sweet Tooth Bakery patisserie were filled with smoke.
Detectives have set up a crime scene at the fire this morning, where the building has been completely gutted.
The Herald Sun has been told the management of Old School Tattoo had changed in the last few months.
“I often saw the new owner who would wave and say hello,” a nearby shop worker said.
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“And he has a little girl who is probably about four years old who was often around too.”
Police are treating the fire as suspicious.
Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.