Melton business Tobacco Bell firebombed

A High St smoke shop is the latest business to be targeted by arsonists in the ongoing tobacco wars.

The Tobacco Bell shop was firebombed on Sunday morning. Picture: David Smith

A Melton tobacco store has become the latest torched in an early morning firebombing.

Emergency services were called to Tobacco Bell, on High St, after it came under attack from arsonists at 3am Sunday.

A car had been reversed into the building and set alight.

The blaze spread quickly, flames leaping into the night sky until firefighters were able to extinguish it.

A car had reversed into the building. Picture: David Smith

Tobacco Bell was extensively burnt and a next-door laundromat was also damaged.

“A crime scene is in place and the investigation is ongoing,” a Victoria Police statement said.

Tobacco Bell had been fitted with exterior steel bars for protection but that was not enough to stop the arsonists.

Smoke shops have been upgrading their security measures for some time amid a wave of arsons which began in March last year.

More than 70 tobacco stores and other businesses linked to combatants in conflict over control of the illicit sector have been firebombed.

The Lunar taskforce was set up by Victoria Police late last year and has arrested some key players in the warfare but high prices and a lack of regulation in the tobacco market have meant the incentive for organised crime figures has remained.

Exiled crime boss Kaz Hamad was initially regarded as the aggressor but sources say his opponents have started to return fire in recent times.

Tobacco Bell promotes itself as selling cigarettes, rolling tobacco, shisha tobacco and accessories.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.