National

Tobacco wars explode: 10 shops damaged in latest attack

By Melissa Meehan

Jul 6, 2026

Firefighters battle a blaze — Crews battled to contain a blaze which damaged multiple shops after a tobacco store was set alight. -PR IMAGE

Melbourne's tobacco wars have exploded after a ram raid overnight saw another 10 nearby shops engulfed by flames.

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Fire Rescue Victoria crews were called to what is believed to be a tobacco shop on Victoria Street in Richmond at 4.15am on Monday.

Crews arrived within three minutes to find the shop, on the edge of Melbourne's city centre, fully alight and it took 80 firefighters and 25 firefighting trucks to get the blaze under control by 6am.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said around 10 shops within the one building were impacted by the fire.

No one was inside at the time.

Victoria Police say unknown offenders drove a vehicle into the business before setting the building alight and fleeing.

Crews remain at the scene and are expected to be there for most of Monday morning.

A crime scene is in place and a police investigation into the incident is underway.

Victoria Street is expected to be closed to both cars and trams for several hours between Church Street and Hoddle Street which is set to cause headaches during Melbourne's morning peak hour.