Authorities are investigating a fire that occurred at a gym in Melbourne’s inner west, which they believe was an act of targeted arson.
Emergency services responded to the incident at a facility located on Hampstead Road in Maidstone around 12:30 AM, where they discovered significant flames engulfing the structure.
This marks the second incident of arson targeting a gym in Melbourne within a span of two days.
Fire Rescue Victoria reported that their teams arrived at the scene in under seven minutes and found the three-story concrete building heavily involved in flames. The gym also housed a martial arts center.
Firefighters worked diligently for approximately one hour to bring the fire under control, remaining on-site into the morning to extinguish any lingering hotspots.
Fortunately, there were no individuals present in the building at the time, although the damage was extensive.
Victoria Police confirmed that the suspects escaped the scene and are treating this incident as deliberate. They are appealing to the public for any information regarding suspicious behavior in the vicinity or any footage related to the event. Individuals with information are encouraged to reach out to CrimeStoppers at 1800 333 000.
This incident follows a firebombing event at a gym in Taylors Lakes on Tuesday night, where masked individuals instructed two employees to vacate the premises before igniting the fire.
