Firefighters have had to help residents flee their homes late on Friday night after a tobacco shop was set alight in Melbourne’s south-east.<\/p>\n
Police say a car was driven into a store on Como Parade in Mentone about 10:50pm, and a flammable liquid was then set alight.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Neighbours were forced to evacuate their apartments as the Mentone tobacco store was engulfed in flames. (Supplied: Abbey Scott)<\/p>\n
The offenders fled in another vehicle.<\/p>\n
The two-storey business was fully alight and spreading into the roof space when firefighters arrived, threatening neighbouring apartments along the strip.<\/p>\n
Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Steve Morgan said crews had to help the residents evacuate through the back of the building.<\/p>\n
“It was well and truly engulfed by the time we got there,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Crews did a fantastic job to pull it up before it actually spread next door and caused any more damage.”<\/p>\n
Commander Morgan said it took 35 firefighters about an hour and a half to bring the blaze under control, with the building starting to collapse.<\/p>\n
“We’re extremely lucky that there was no-one hurt or injured in this.”<\/p>\n
The fire caused the Mentone tobacco store to collapse. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Police are investigating and trying to work out who is responsible.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said detectives believed the offenders fled in a white Toyota Prado but they were also looking for a small red vehicle, possibly a hatchback, seen leaving the scene with the four-wheel-drive.<\/p>\n
Fire crews remained at the scene on Saturday morning. looking for any flare-ups within the destroyed shop.<\/p>\n