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Arsonists have gutted an ice-cream shop in one of Williamstown’s main streets, the sixth such attack in the street in 3½ years, as investigators probe links to a spate of firebombings across Melbourne’s suburbs.
Emergency services were called to the suspicious blaze at Capriccio gelateria on Nelson Place, Williamstown, at 3.45am on Sunday after reports of flames engulfing the shop.
Twenty-five firefighters took about 50 minutes to get the blaze under control.
The gelateria was previously targeted by arsonists in January 2024. Taskforce Lunar, the Victoria Police unit commissioned to crack down on the state’s tobacco war, investigated the 2024 blaze.
Nelson Place has been a hotspot for arson attacks. Since late 2022, six fires have been lit at ice-cream shops along the picturesque shopping strip – including an April 2024 blaze at Willi Homemade Icecream & Acai, which is next door to Capriccio.
Williamstown Ice Creamery & Frozen Yoghurt, just 100 metres from Capriccio, was repeatedly firebombed in late 2023.
Police are investigating Sunday morning’s fire, and arson chemists were seen combing the burnt-out shopfront overlooking the popular Commonwealth Reserve for evidence, watched on by residents and traders.
It was the second ice-cream shop fire in Melbourne’s west in just over 24 hours, after Gelateria On the Docks in Tarneit was significantly damaged by fire on Saturday morning.
Two 17-year-old boys from the Greater Dandenong area were arrested and charged with aggravated burglary and criminal damage by fire in connection with the Tarneit blaze. One of the boys was taken to hospital after being bitten by a police dog following a pursuit on Saturday.
Fire Rescue Victoria said two people had to be evacuated from property neighbouring Williamstown’s Capriccio gelateria during the latest blaze.
“Extensive fire damage has occurred to the shop, with smoke damage to the upper-level residence,” a spokesperson said.
Senior station officer Matthew Kerr said firefighters arrived to find “the windows were broken out with flames leaking out of the front of the shop”.
There were initial concerns for residents living in the apartment above the Capriccio storefront, but firefighters wearing respirators did not find anyone during their search of the building.
Kerr said the home above the shop appeared to be unoccupied and undergoing renovations.
“There was a report of people missing initially, but after a primary search turned up nothing, we got the job under control,” he said.
“It took about 45 to 50 minutes and the crews did an exceptional job of protecting the surrounding properties from any fire spread.
“The majority of the damage was to the front of the shop and a small amount upstairs to a residence area and a storage area out the back.”
Kerr also confirmed there was another fire in the area recently, but he didn’t have details.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestopersvic.com.au.
Roy Ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news journalist. He’s been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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