Popular Fortitude Valley venue closes after alleged arson attack

A popular Fortitude Valley venue has been forced to close after the firebombing of a nearby tobacconist store.

A popular Fortitude Valley venue has been forced to close after the firebombing of a nearby tobacconist store.

Live music venue Tomcat has temporarily shut its doors due to damage sustained during last week’s attack.

The fire caused extensive damage to the building.

In a statement, Tomcat management said the venue would be closed until at least the start of the new year.

“So some d***head firebombed the tobacconist below us,” the statement began.

“So we’re closed at least until the 1st of January, waiting on a full report from the assessors this Monday.

“Copped a bit of water damage to the floor boards, but a whole heap of smoke damage.

“This means this weekend’s events have been cancelled, the NYE managed to find a new location at crowbar.

“Will keep you all updated once we have more detail.”

The convenience store, located next to the Prohibition Nightclub in Fortitude Valley, went up in flames in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Police investigating the alleged arson attack on the Wickham St vape store, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, last week said they were looking at potential links to organised crime and tobacconist turf wars. It’s not alleged that the tobacconist has engaged in any wrongdoing.

CCTV captured the moment two men tumble out the door of the Valley shop before one - the store owner - flees and the other - the alleged arsonist - goes back inside. He exits the building as fireballs explode from it, setting him on fire.

Police are still searching for the alleged arsonist, who it’s believed walked into the Wickham St store with a gas bottle and jerry can. He left the scene in a white van before police arrived.

One man was assessed at the scene but declined to be taken to hospital.

A bystander who was walking along the footpath at the time saw the whole incident unfold.

“I saw the guy race in there, he chased after another guy and started heading into him,” Edward Moller told The Courier-Mail on Thursday.

“I thought he was going to get in that white van, but he just belted him up you know really bad.

“The moment he raced out of the store, the flames just come out.

“He then jumped into the white van and took off.

“The other guy ran and just called the police.”

Originally published as Popular Fortitude Valley venue closes after alleged arson attack