A suspicious early morning blaze has destroyed a tobacco shop in Richmond after a vehicle was allegedly driven through the storefront, triggering a large-scale emergency response and a police investigation.
Triple Zero Victoria began receiving multiple calls at approximately 3:30am on Wednesday 1 July 2026, alerting authorities to a fire at the “American Groceries & Tobacco” retail premises at 162 Bridge Road, Richmond 3121. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews arrived on scene within three minutes to find the ground floor shop of a double-storey brick and timber duplex, measuring approximately 30 by 15 metres, fully engulfed in flames.
The severity of the incident saw the response escalated to a second alarm, with additional crews deployed to the scene. It is understood to have completely destroyed the EMDR Academy on the first floor, directly above the primary target -American Groceries and Tobacco.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly established hose lines and launched an aggressive internal attack on the blaze. A thorough search of the burning premises confirmed no occupants were inside at the time of the fire.
The fire was successfully contained to the western side of the duplex, preventing it from spreading to the adjoining eastern property. Crews also conducted searches and ventilation operations on the upper floors of both sides of the building to clear smoke and ensure safety.
Three people were safely evacuated from the first floor premises on the eastern side of the duplex, with no injuries reported.
The fire was brought under control at 4:27am.
However, investigators at the scene identified evidence suggesting a white/silver SUV had been driven through the shopfront prior to the fire igniting. The incident has been deemed suspicious and referred to Victoria Police for further investigation.
Bridge Road was closed in both directions between Church Street and Lennox Street for several hours, while Yarra Trams suspended services in the area for up to four hours, causing significant disruption to morning commuters.
Police and Ambulance Victoria supported FRV crews during the operation, while power and gas companies attended to isolate utilities to the damaged building.
Firefighters remained on scene throughout the morning to fully extinguish hotspots and secure the site. Crime scene photographers, including Lord Murray Schoorman from Peak Hour Images, 7NEWS Melbourne, 9 News Melbourne and 10 News Melbourne documented the aftermath. The Melbourne pooled-vision news chopper (VH-HWA) also circled overhead, recording vision of the fire damaged roof.
By early afternoon, a municipal building surveyor from the local council had attended to assess structural damage, while chemists from the Arson and Explosives Squad were observed combing through debris, collecting and bagging evidence.Later in the day, Detective Senior Constable Ruby Roberts from the Yarra Crime Investigation Unit addressed waiting media, issuing a warning to local business owners.
She urged any shop owners who receive notes from a group identifying itself as “The Commission” not to comply with demands, and instead to contact police immediately.
Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
