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Three men have been arrested over the second arson attack on CBD venue Bar Bambi in a week, following a wave of firebombings, shootings and attempted kidnappings that have plagued Melbourne’s late-night hospitality scene for the past two months.
The latest attempt to torch Bar Bambi in AC/DC Lane marks the 19th attack on a Melbourne venue since February 4, but police have been unable to establish a motive for the campaign of violence despite making several arrests.
About 5am on Saturday, Melbourne City Council staff noticed on a CCTV camera a suspicious vehicle near the corner of Flinders and AC/DC lanes.
Police officers chased and apprehended two men, while a third man was located in a nearby laneway, after the entrance of the upmarket nightclub was set alight.
The incident follows another attack on Bar Bambi on April 18, when several men forced entry and attempted to torch the venue but fled before the fire could take hold.
Owner Nick Russian, who has operated a string of Melbourne bars and clubs with his brother Daniel for more than 20 years, has been contacted for comment.
The Age has been told by three nightclub sources that the Bar Bambi owners have not received any extortion demands and are baffled by the attacks.
The owner of a late-night bar in the CBD, who asked not to be identified over fears for his venue, said Melbourne’s much vaunted hospitality scene was in disarray.
“It’s become a war zone out there … every day we wake up to another fire. This is our livelihood and it’s being taken away. And the worst part is that the police and the industry don’t really know why [it is happening],” he said.
On Friday, a police spokesman declined to comment on the number of incidents under investigation.
“Specialist detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad and Armed Crime Squad are continuing to work with regional detectives in an effort to determine the motivation for the incident and who may be involved,” the spokesman said.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray, of the arson squad, previously issued a public warning about the threat the attacks posed to innocent nightlife patrons.
“Please – if you’re out in metropolitan Melbourne and particularly entertainment precincts this weekend – call Triple Zero if you see anything suspicious,” Murray said on April 17.
Detectives are expected to investigate links between security companies, nightclub promoters and the affected venues as organised crime gangs battle to control the supply of drugs.
The supply of discounted alcohol to venues is also expected to be another avenue of inquiry for police.
A liquor distillery in Keysborough owned by nightclub industry figures George Grigoriadis and Danny Grant was destroyed by fire on Friday evening. The pair, who founded the liquor brand 80 Proof, declined to comment.
On Thursday, iconic South Yarra bistro France-Soir and its neighbouring bar, Le Splendide, were targeted in an extortion plot carried out by an outlaw motorcycle gang, though one of the owners said she had not received a specific demand for money. A 31-year-old man and a woman, 22, charged over the plot were granted bail.
The Age can also reveal that Fire Rescue Victoria has recently conducted a series of audits on late-night venues, while insurance companies are refusing to allow nightclub owners to upgrade insurance policies to cover the potential loss of income caused by arson.
Over the past month, several owners have upgraded security systems and fortified their venues with cast-iron grilles, bollards and secondary gates.
Private security guards have also been employed to patrol at least three clubs in South Yarra and Prahran when the venues are closed.
The three men arrested over the latest fire at Bar Bambi are in custody and will be interviewed by police on Saturday.
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