A fiery Christmas Eve in Melbourne’s tobacco wars

Two shops have been set ablaze in the early hours of the morning as Melbourne’s tobacco wars continue to rage.

Firebugs have targeted two businesses early on Christmas Eve in what appears to be yet another attack in Melbourne’s ongoing tobacco wars.

Arson chemists are set to comb the scene of two “suspicious” shop fires, one in Norlane and another in Flemington, following early morning blazes on Tuesday.

Firefighters first responded to reports of a shop fire on Donnybrook Rd in just before 1.20am.

Fire Rescue Victoria and members from the Country Fire Authority donned breathing apparatus as they entered the building and attacked the blaze from inside.

A Flemington business has been torched in a Christmas Eve arson attack. Picture: Ian Royall

A scene has since been established and investigations remain ongoing.

Within hours of the first blaze, emergency services were called to a second blaze, this time at a tobacco shop along Racecourse Rd.

Firefighters were able to limit fire damage to the front of the shop, bringing the blaze under control just before 4.30am.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed both fires were deemed “suspicious” and arson chemists had been called to examine the scenes.

The blaze in Flemington comes just three weeks after another tobacco shop a few doors down was targeted for the second time in as many months.

Police allege two men attempted, unsuccessfully, to ram raid and burn down Tobacco Junction on December 2.

The same shop was also targeted in October, with three offenders donning hoodies and armed with machetes attempting to enter the store.

In shocking footage obtained by the Herald Sun, the trio can be seen retreating back to their car as the owner tried to defend his shop.