Perfection Barber Lalor destroyed in early morning blaze
A northern suburbs barber shop destroyed in a suspicious blaze has become the fourth to be targeted in a spate of arson attacks in recent months.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A northern suburbs barber shop has been completely destroyed after a car was rammed into it and set alight early on Tuesday morning.
A burnt out Mazda was reversed into the Perfection Barber on Lorne St in Lalor before it was torched about 1am.
“Crews arrived on scene within six minutes to find a car had been backed into the shop through the front window and the shop fully involved in fire,” a FRV statement read.
“The shop was unoccupied at the time of the incident and the occupants of the vehicle appeared to have left the scene prior to brigade arrival.”
The firebombing forced residents living behind the shop to evacuate as a precaution.
They were treated for smoke inhalation.
It became at least the fourth barber shop to be hit by arson in recent months.
A jerry can was tossed into the Jewell Barber on Union St in Brunswick in May but it largely failed to ignite after a cigarette lighter was thrown in moments after.
Epping’s Ali Barber on Miller St was gutted by fire in another targeted attack in March which was investigated by the illicit tobacco task force.
A Werribee barber shop was also torched in June which saw a large ute driven into the store and set alight.
Two tobacconists were also targeted in similar circumstances earlier this week to bring the number of blazes linked to the black market trade to 100.
A Thornbury smoke shop on High St and a milk bar in Greenvale – which also sold smokes and vapes – were both set alight in recent days.
Anyone with information on Tuesday’s attack is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Originally published as Perfection Barber Lalor destroyed in early morning blaze
Cost of living is biting, but getting inked is no longer taboo
Police officers, teachers, doctors and lawyers are among the many Melburnians choosing to get inked up for the first time, but the cost of living crunch is leaving some tattoo artists feeling the pinch.
Reality stars reveal where to find an Aussie block with gold on it
A pair of TV stars have revealed the signs that property hunters can use to spot a bush block where you can find gold nuggets. Find out where and what to look for.