A bold arson attack has left a Cremorne gym badly shaken after unknown offenders allegedly forced their way into the unoccupied premises and set it alight in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Police are treating the blaze at Level 1, 620 Church Street, Cremorne as suspicious after the fire erupted about 1am, with the damage contained to the building and no injuries reported.
The target, Undefeated Private Lifting Club Pty Ltd, was hit in a methodical and highly prepared strike, with investigators reportedly examining how the offenders gained access to the first-floor gym. A Bailey-branded aluminium ladder, believed to have been brought to the scene and abandoned in the hurried escape, has become a striking piece of the crime scene puzzle.
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According to the Undefeated gym website the founders are Mike Hulusi and his partner Tunel Hulusi. A note left on the business mailbox has also added to the intrigue, with instructions for “Australia Postman” deliveries to be made via the use of a lift or by calling “Mike” Loone on a mobile phone number. Police have established a crime scene guard while detectives continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the fire.
The attack has drawn attention because of the gym’s links to bodybuilder and business owner Mike Hulusi, who has previously been the target of a firebombing attack on his vehicle. That earlier incident, Police say at least one arsonist pulled up to Mr Hulusi’s townhouse in a red sedan before they allegedly torched his prized Jeep about 10:30pm on Monday 28/07/2025. Witnesses say the alleged arsonist also set himself alight as the Jeep, parked on the street, went up in flames. A BMW parked nearby also became collateral damage after it too was destroyed in the public inferno.
The Church Street gym was visited this morning by famous crime scene photographer Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images, whose images captured the aftermath of the overnight attack. The fire, while contained to the building, has left behind the unmistakable signature of an incident police now appear to be treating as a calculated criminal act rather than a random blaze.
Victoria Police say the investigation is ongoing, with officers expected to examine forensic evidence, CCTV, and the items left behind at the scene. At this stage, no arrests have been announced and the motive remains under investigation.
