Thornbury’s Tobacco on High hit in latest smoke shop blaze

A Thornbury smoke shop has become the latest hit in Victoria’s raging tobacco wars, with police now probing the suspicious blaze.

A tobacco shop fire bombing in High St, Thornbury. Picture: NewsWire/David Crosling

Detectives are probing a suspicious blaze at a Thornbury smoke shop on Sunday morning.

Arsonists ploughed a blue Subaru wagon into the front of Tobacco on High before setting it alight about 3.30am, completely gutting the store.

No one was inside the High St shop when the fire broke out.

Fire crews and police at Tobacco on High after it was set alight on Sunday morning. Picture: David Crosling

The shop suffered major damage. Picture: David Crosling

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigators believed the fire was suspicious.

Thornbury venues and businesses have previously been targeted in Victoria’s tobacco wars, which have sparked almost 100 firebombings and arsons linked to organised crime figures’ fight for control of the state’s lucrative black market smoke trade.

In February, reception venue the Furlan Club was hit days before it was set to host a boxing bout involving underworld identity Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.