Braeside office razed by fire days after suspected arson attack

An office in Melbourne’s southeast has gone up in flames just days after a nearby vehicle repair shop was destroyed in a suspicious blaze.

Firefighters at Stylefinish Auto Body in Braeside on Sunday. Picture: Josie Hayden

Two arson attacks at Braeside vehicle workshops within three days are now under police investigation.

An office connected to a Braeside panel beater was set alight on Tuesday morning, just days after a firebombing at a nearby detailing business.

More than 20 firefighters worked to extinguish the fire at an office on Century Drive in Braeside about 4am on Tuesday.

“Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames issuing from a 10x15m office area attached to a factory housing a panel beating business,” a statement read.

“Firefighters in breathing apparatus performed an aggressive attack on the fire and were able to stop its spread to the panel beating workshop.”

The office area sustained significant damage but no one was inside at the time.

The blaze has been declared suspicious but police are still working to determine the cause.

Arson chemists attended the scene on Tuesday morning.

Stylefinish Auto Room early on Sunday morning. Picture: Josie Hayden

More than 70 firefighters tackled the blaze for more than an hour. Picture: Josie Hayden

The arson hit comes just days after another car detailing joint was set alight just 2km away.

It’s believed the perpetrators entered Stylefinish Auto Body on Tarnard Dr in Braeside by ramming their car through a roller door before setting the building alight around 3.55am on Sunday.

It took 70 firefighters more than an hour to take control of the blaze which had engulfed the entire building.

A car was found abandoned at the scene.

A car is seen dumped at the scene of the blaze. Picture: Josie Hayden

The fire is being treated as suspicious. Picture: Josie Hayden

Gutted workers from the car shop were also seen inspecting the debris while the building’s owner was inconsolable over the damage.

It is not yet known if the fires are linked.

Several panel beaters, car detailers and mechanics have also been subject to arson attacks across Melbourne in recent months.

A Melton car repair workshop was hit by fire earlier this month.

An Epping car repair shop was targeted via a ram raid in May.

An Oakleigh car detailer was also hit twice in 12 months recently.

The Haddara clan’s smash repair business in Williamstown North has also been set alight.