Suspicious Blaze Destroys Campbellfield Shops, Claims Lives of Pet Store Animals
A devastating fire tore through a row of businesses on Mahoneys Road, Campbellfield, in the early hours of Wednesday 7 May 2025, leaving one shop gutted, two others significantly damaged, and a local pet store mourning the loss of nearly all its animals.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to multiple emergency calls at 3:46am, arriving at the scene within four minutes to find a single-storey shop, reportedly an acai store, already engulfed in flames. The blaze, measuring approximately 10 by 30 metres, was threatening to spread to adjoining businesses, prompting the rapid dispatch of additional FRV crews.
Despite the swift response, the fire quickly consumed the original shop and spread to neighbouring properties, including the King Pets store. By 4:24am, firefighters had brought the incident under control, but not before significant damage was done. While no injuries to people were reported, the fire had tragic consequences for the animals inside the pet shop. Victoria Police confirmed that rabbits, fish, and birds perished in the blaze, with only a tub of baby turtles surviving the inferno.
Emergency services, including Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria, remained on site for several hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to assist with ongoing operations. A Community Advice warning was issued for smoke in the area, urging local residents to take precautions.
Authorities have deemed the cause of the fire suspicious, with Victoria Police launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. No one was inside the affected shops at the time of the fire.
As the investigation continues, the Campbellfield community is left counting the cost of the blaze, with business owners and animal lovers alike reeling from the loss.
Our chief crime reporter and lead photographer, Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images, was deployed to the scene, capturing exclusive images for The Toorak Times. Lord Murray Schoorman, a respected figure in the Victorian media landscape and an experienced firefighter himself, has a longstanding reputation for documenting high-profile events across Melbourne.
