A devastating firebomb attack tore through Asia Lane Grocery at 825 Ballarat Road, Deer Park 3023 overnight, shattering glass doors and windows and charring stock inside the store just days after a neighbouring tobacco retailer was forcibly shut down by authorities.
The blaze was ignited shortly before 11pm on Monday night when unknown offenders gained access to the Asian grocery store, trading under the name Asia Lane Grocery, and set the premises alight.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with multiple fire trucks arriving on scene and firefighters bringing the suspicious fire under control within five minutes. Despite the rapid response, the glass door and window of the store were shattered and numerous items inside were charred, leaving the business damaged and the offenders still at large.Victoria Police confirmed no one was inside the store at the time of the attack and launched an active investigation into the incident, urging anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.
The firebombing comes just days after the premises next door at 2/821 Ballarat Road, Deer Park 3023, was forcibly closed on 25 September 2026 under section 36V of the Tobacco Act 1987. Authorities acted on reasonable suspicion that illicit tobacco was being sold or otherwise supplied at the premises, with a fluro yellow closure notice displayed prominently on multiple external facades of the store.Local witnesses noted the timing of the two incidents, with one resident telling reporters the neighbouring shop had been shut down by police on Friday. “This one was closed on Friday,” the witness said. “The police came and shut it down.”
Famous crime scene snapper, Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images was deployed to the scene today and captured dramatic images of Victoria Police forensics conducting their enquiries at the fire-ravaged grocery store. The photographs show forensics investigators drawing a site plan and liaising with arson detectives as they work to piece together the circumstances of the overnight attack.Witnesses were also seen providing statements to investigators at the scene, as police worked to identify those responsible for the firebombing. The incident has reignited concerns about escalating tensions in Melbourne’s western suburbs, where a series of tobacco-related attacks have targeted retailers in recent years.
Victoria Police are treating the incident as suspicious and continue their investigation into the firebombing.
The attack marks another chapter in what has been described as Melbourne’s ongoing “tobacco wars”, with Deer Park emerging as a flashpoint for violence linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
