A probe into a string of arson attacks on tobacco shops in Melbourne has deepened after another business was destroyed at a popular entertainment district.
For the second time in as many weeks, a building on Station Street in Oakleigh was engulfed in flames after a car was driven into a tobacco shop and set alight at about 2am on Thursday.
The business was destroyed while a restaurant and empty shopfront located in the same building was badly impacted. No one was inside at the time.
Earlier this month, the same tobacco shop was damaged when the empty shopfront next door was purposefully set alight.
The investigation into the most recent blaze is ongoing and police believe it's connected to a series of arson attacks linked to the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Kennedy says police know who the main players are in the syndicates involved.
"Make no mistake, these criminal syndicates and their associated offending linked to illicit tobacco has the complete attention of police and we will do everything we can to bring this to an end and hold those responsible to account," he said.
Four people were arrested last month and previously police said it was crucial that tobacco store owners and staff co-operate with the investigation before innocent people were killed or seriously hurt.
Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the Oakleigh incident has been asked to contact investigators.
