Restaurant destroyed by suspicious fire

A vacant former restaurant in Eumemmerring has been destroyed by a suspicious fire early on Sunday morning (6 October).

Firefighters were called to Hog’s Breath Café at Princes Highway about 5.47am.

The 1600-square metre timber building was found “fully involved in flames” and the response was “escalated”, an FRV spokesperson stated.

FRV and CFA crews including an aerial appliance battled the blaze, bringing the scene under control at 8.21am.

“There was minor fire exposure to neighbouring properties, including a petrol station and several houses.

“Firefighters made significant progress in the first hour but were expected to remain at the scene for several hours to fully extinguishing the blaze.”

A Community Advice warning was issued for smoke in the area, with smoke impacting visibility on the Princes Highway.

Victoria Police is investigating the blaze, which is being treated as “suspicious”.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.