Convenience store Harry’s Mart on Chapel St Melbourne firebombed

The manager of a Chapel St shop that was set ablaze in the early hours of the morning says he has no idea what motivated the attack, saying “we haven’t been doing any shady stuff”.

The manager of a convenience store which was set alight in an early morning firebombing attack says he has “no idea” why the shop was targeted.

Harry’s Mart on Chapel St in Prahran in Melbourne’s inner suburbs was engulfed by flames shortly before 4am on Thursday after two offenders smashed through the shopfront and set the store alight.

Store manager Jazib Bashir said he did not know what the offender’s motivation was but noted the firebombing comes after a spate of robberies and threatening behaviour directed at staff from members of the public.

“We haven’t been doing any shady stuff or anything… this is just a convenience store,” he said.

“Nothing was stolen, everything was burnt, nothing was taken, surprisingly, it looks like it’s been done just to burn the place down.”

The burnt-out Harry’s Mart on Chapel St. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Bashir said it could take them weeks to reopen and the cost to restore the shop would likely be extensive.

“Just looking at the damage that has been done, that’s a lot of money because I make the orders here and I know how much that costs,” he said.

Mr Bashir said shelves full of products stocked just a day prior following a large delivery from America will now needed to be thrown away.

The manager said the shop’s owner was on a flight home from Dubai and was unaware his store had been destroyed.

“The first news to him when he lands is going to be this, which is pretty bad,” he said.

The firebombing comes amid a rolling war for control of the illegal tobacco market. Picture: David Crosling

The owner of a newly renovated nightclub upstairs said his business had become “collateral damage” following the attack amid Victoria’s ongoing tobacco war.

“It’s even worse because it’s got nothing to do with us and obviously we can’t do anything about it,” Attik owner Sammy Dhingra said.

“They (offenders) don’t see the repercussions it has on other businesses, I guess it’s just none of their concern and we have to take the price for it.”

Police said the blaze was a targeted attack. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Dhingra said it is possible the venue would not be able to open on Friday evening following the sale of 250 tickets ahead of their first official event since reopening.

“The fire was on the ceiling so it (the floor) will be structurally damaged… with us being a nightclub, (I’m) not sure if it can handle the weight of 300, 400 people dancing on the floor,” he said.

“We’re going to have to wait for the council to come in and some structural engineers to see if it is safe.”

While there does not appear to be any visible damage to the club, the venue has been left with a strong smoke smell and possible structural damage.

Damage from the attack on the store below will likely mean significant costs for the nightclub, which already spent $115,000 on the recent renovations.

Both Mr Dhingra and the convenience store employees were only able to enter their businesses after arson detectives had completed their investigations inside the building.

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