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Tara Cosoleto

Second store fire adds to growing list of arson attacks

Police are hunting a suspected arsonist after an incident at a tobacco store in Melbourne. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO)

A Melbourne business has been set alight in what police believe is the latest in a spate of targeted attacks on tobacco stores.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at the unoccupied Hadfield store just after 5am on Wednesday.

The business sustained significant damage but no one was injured.

It's the second Hadfield fire in two days after a fruit and vegetable shop was significantly damaged on Tuesday.

Police believe the two fires are likely linked to a series of arson attacks on tobacco stores dating back to March this year.

Four people were arrested last month over the fires but police continue to investigate whether organised crime syndicates are orchestrating the attacks.

Arson detectives have also released CCTV footage to identify a man who repeatedly set fire to a Moonee Ponds tobacco store.

The footage shows the man opening the store's roller door before throwing flammable liquid inside and setting it alight.

The Young Street business was targeted about 3am on May 23 and 1.35am on May 26.

No one was at the store at the time of the two incidents.

The man accidentally set himself on fire during the second attack and he fled the scene in a waiting vehicle. 

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