South Melbourne gym Rare Breed has been targeted by suspected arsonists for the second consecutive day, prompting another early-morning emergency response and a continuing police investigation.
Fire crews were called to the gym on Montague Street at about 3:13 a.m. after reports of a fire at the single-storey building. Fire Rescue Victoria said crews arrived within seven minutes and found smoke and flames coming from the premises.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus and hose lines to attack the blaze from outside the building. The fire was brought under control at 3:59 a.m., about 40 minutes after crews arrived.
Authorities have treated the fire as suspicious. Victoria Police will investigate the cause, Fire Rescue Victoria said.
The latest incident came one day after the same gym was targeted in another early-morning attack. Police said a white vehicle rammed the roller door of the gym at about 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday before a fire was lit inside the property.
Nobody was inside the building at the time of the earlier incident.
South Melbourne Gym Hit Twice in Two Days
The South Melbourne gym has now been at the center of two suspected arson attacks in two days, raising concerns about whether the incidents are linked.
The first attack occurred on Tuesday morning when a white vehicle was used to force entry through the roller door. A fire was then started inside the building, according to police.
The second fire happened early the following morning, again drawing emergency crews to Rare Breed on Montague Street. Fire Rescue Victoria said firefighters found visible signs of fire when they arrived.
The repeated targeting of the same business within such a short period has made the case a priority for detectives from the Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit.
Police have not announced any arrests. The investigation remains ongoing.
Fire Crews Contain Early-Morning Blaze
Fire Rescue Victoria said crews responded quickly after being called to the gym shortly after 3 a.m.
When firefighters reached the scene, smoke and flames were coming from the building. Crews put on breathing apparatus and worked from outside the property to contain the fire.
The blaze was declared under control less than an hour after the first call. No injuries were reported in the information provided.
The cause of the fire has not been formally confirmed. However, Fire Rescue Victoria said it was deemed suspicious and would be investigated by Victoria Police.
Early-morning fires at commercial properties can create serious risks for nearby businesses, residents and emergency crews. In this case, the quick response helped limit the time the fire remained active.
Police Investigation Focuses on Both Incidents
Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the attacks on the Rare Breed gym.
The timing, location and repeated nature of the incidents are likely to form part of the investigation. Police will also be expected to review available security footage, vehicle movements and witness information from the area around Montague Street.
The Tuesday incident involved a white vehicle, which police said rammed the gym’s roller door before a fire was lit inside. The details provided for the second fire did not specify whether a vehicle was involved.
No arrests have been made.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Rare Breed Fire Adds to Local Crime Concerns
The suspected arson attacks have placed attention on business security in South Melbourne, particularly for commercial premises that may be empty overnight.
The gym was not occupied during the first attack, according to police. The available information does not state whether anyone was inside during the second fire, though emergency crews responded before dawn.
Commercial arson investigations often examine motive, entry method, accelerants, vehicle use and whether the same people may have returned to the property. In this case, police have not publicly identified a motive or suspects.
The two incidents also show the challenge for fire crews responding to suspicious blazes in urban areas. Firefighters must control the fire while preserving the scene for police and fire investigators.
For nearby businesses, repeated fires can disrupt trading, damage confidence and raise concerns about public safety.
What Happens Next
The investigation will now depend on evidence gathered from the scene, nearby cameras, witnesses and any information from the public.
Detectives will likely focus on the white vehicle involved in Tuesday’s attack and whether it can be linked to any person or group. They may also examine whether the second fire followed the same pattern or involved a different method.
The key questions are who targeted the gym, why the business was attacked twice and whether there is any continuing risk to the property or surrounding area.
Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Further updates are expected if investigators identify suspects, release images or make arrests in connection with the South Melbourne gym fires.
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