Arsonists are targeting Melbourne restaurants and hospitality venues. No one seems to know why

Unlike firebombings during the city’s tobacco wars, police say the motives for targeting at least eight businesses since 14 April remain unclear Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The orders come from people they have never met: firebomb this particular address, and you’ll get paid a few hundred dollars. There have been almost 300 tobacconists hit in Victoria since late 2023, but there are now different types of businesses that have been targeted in the past fortnight: nightclubs, restaurants and bars. At least eight such businesses have been targeted since 14 April, the most recent of which was the well-known South Yarra restaurant France-Soir on Thursday morning. According to police, officers were called to the scene when jerry cans were allegedly spotted inside a vehicle stopped near the restaurant. Police also suspect two kidnappings and a factory fire at an alcohol distribution centre in Melbourne’s outer south-east are connected to the hospitality attacks. Det Ins Chris Murray, the officer in charge of Victoria’s arson and explosive squad, urged those heading out in Melbourne to remain vigilant for their own safety, but also to detect possible offende