Police probe restaurant fire for links to arson attacks

An arson attack on a Melbourne city restaurant is being probed for possible links to a recent spate of similar incidents. Emergency services were called to the Docklands business about 2.50am on Friday following reports of suspicious activity in the area. It's understood three offenders smashed the window of the Glenti Place restaurant before using a suspected accelerant to set it alight. The trio were seen running from the scene before leaving in a vehicle. A crime scene has been established with an arson chemist and investigators assessing the damage. Victoria Police Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was too early to confirm whether the fire was linked to the recent arson attacks. "We anticipate within two to three days we'd get a bit of clarity around what might have been the motivator behind that but at this stage we're still working through that," he told reporters. There have been 29 arsons or attempted arsons over the past eight months, predominantly linked to tobacco stores in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Officers have previously said the serious incidents and firebombings are linked to a conflict between rival groups. The dispute is believed to include members of Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs that use youths, street gangs and low-level criminals to carry out offending.