A fire at a panel shop that spread to a neighboring factory and killed two people is believed to be a targeted attack.
Emergency services were called to the fire in Melbourne’s west at 4am on Friday.
Police say the fire broke out at a store on Bunnett Street in Sunshine North and then spread to a factory where two people were sleeping.
The pair died at the scene and have yet to be formally identified.
By the time firefighters arrived, the one-story factory was completely engulfed in flames.
Emergency services were called to the fire in Melbourne’s west on Friday morning
Because there was a lot of smoke in the area, an advisory message was issued.
The alert asked residents in the nearby area to stay informed at 5 a.m.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said it took about 50 firefighters with 12 trucks almost three hours to bring the blaze under control.
“(Fire Rescue Victoria) carried out the attack on the fire from above while crews wearing breathing apparatus undertook an internal attack to contain the (fire) to the factory,” the spokesperson said.
“The incident is being treated as suspicious and a crime scene has been established by Victoria Police.”
Detectives believe the fire was a “targeted attack” and that the two people who died were not linked to the panel workshop.
The fire is also not believed to be linked to other recent fires or Operation Lunar, which targets Victoria’s illicit tobacco trade.
The emergency services had the fire under control around 7 a.m
The emergency services had the fire under control around 7 a.m.
Police remained at the scene and investigated the circumstances of the fire.
The cause has yet to be determined.
Investigations are underway.
Anyone with information who may have information is urged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers.