Williamstown fire: Melbourne ice cream parlor gutted by suspicious fire

A popular Melbourne ice cream parlor has been destroyed by what police say was a suspicious fire.

Firefighters rushed to the scene after the Capriccio Ice Cream Factory in Williamstown burst into flames around 4am on Friday.

It took a dozen firefighters more than an hour to bring the fire under control.

There was extensive damage to the building, with debris strewn across the sidewalk.

The fire brigade remains on site to ensure the building is safe.

Detectives will remain on scene for much of Friday to investigate the cause of the fire

Police will investigate whether the store was deliberately targeted.

A second ice cream factory, 100 meters away, has been bombed twice in recent months.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

The fire brigade was still present at the destroyed store on Friday morning

The Capriccio ice cream shop is expected to remain a crime scene for much of the day