Victoria Police investigate ice-cream shop blaze in Williamstown

Police are investigating whether a fire at an ice-cream shop is linked to a similar blaze at a nearby shopfront.

Police are treating a fire at a Melbourne ice-cream shop as a targeted attack as detectives continue to investigate another similar blaze at a nearby shopfront.

Sixteen Fire and Rescue Victoria firefighters were called to the Capriccio store on Nelson Place in Williamstown, in Melbourne’s southwest, about 4am on Friday.

Emergency crews were called to the Williamstown ice-cream shop after it was allegedly set alight. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

The Gelateria ice-cream shop is the second storefront to catch fire in Nelson Place, Williamstown, since November. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

It took nearly three hours to extinguish the blaze after firefighters used an axe to access the building safely, with the above apartment also damaged.

“Using breathing apparatus, crews worked together to attack the fire, bringing it under control within minutes of arriving,” Fire and Rescue Victoria stated.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

“Firefighters remained on scene until 6.45am to fully extinguish the fire.”

In a statement, Victoria Police said it was treating the fire as suspicious.

Officers believe the offenders damaged the front of the business before setting it alight and were investigating any possible links to other recent fires.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The fire comes just weeks after the Williamstown Ice Creamery & Frozen Yoghurt store, also on Nelson Place, was firebombed twice in 24 hours in November 2023.