Burning cars found inside warehouse torched in suspicious blaze
Cars were found ablaze inside a factory in Melbourne's inner-west after it was gutted by a suspicious early-morning fire on Thursday.
More than 60 firefighters battled the blaze inside the Maribyrnong warehouse, containing the fire before it could spread to a neighbouring petrol station and nearby Bunnings warehouse.
Emergency services were alerted soon after plumes of smoke started billowing from the Williamson Road building before 5.30am. Firefighters were forced to cut through a roller door, and found at least three cars alight.
Route 82 trams were diverted for several hours but have now resumed normal service.
The Kingcon warehouse – which is about 50 metres by 80 metres in size – was full of smoke, and a community warning was issued for Maidstone and Maribyrnong.
"Smoke is in the area and being blown in a northerly direction towards Sloane and White streets," the warning said.
Firefighters remain on scene, ventilating the building, and arson detectives will now investigate the cause of the fire.
"The fire has been deemed as suspicious, and has been handed over to Victoria Police for further investigation," the Metropolitan Fire Brigade said in a statement.
Kingcon, which describes itself as "a boutique construction company specialising in small to medium density residential projects", has been contacted for comment.