Teen and man charged after second fire attack on Docklands restaurant in three years

Docklands restaurant Almina was targeted in an early-morning arson attack on May 2, the second time in three years the venue has been hit by a suspicious fire.

The latest incident is also being reviewed by Victoria Police as part of the continuing series of suspicious fires targeting licensed venues across inner Melbourne.

Police said two males had been charged after the attack at the Docklands Drive restaurant about 3.30am on Saturday, May 2.

Police allege the pair smashed glass doors, entered the venue and poured accelerant inside before setting it alight. The fire caused minor damage before it was extinguished.

According to police, the males then fled south along Docklands Drive and attempted to get into an allegedly stolen vehicle, before being disturbed by uniform officers who were already patrolling the area. They allegedly ran from the scene but were later found hiding under the Bolte Bridge in Ron Barassi Snr Park and arrested without further incident. A third male was also located in a vehicle on Docklands Drive, where police allegedly seized jerry cans.

A 16-year-old boy from the Glen Eira area has been charged with criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endangering life and burglary, and was remanded to appear before a children’s court. A 22-year-old Fitzroy North man has been charged with the same offences and was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. A 19-year-old Collingwood man was interviewed and released pending further investigation.

Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives are leading the investigation, while detectives from Operation Eclipse are also reviewing the matter to determine whether it is linked to the recent spate of attacks on bars, restaurants and other licensed premises across the inner city.

The latest fire revives troubling memories for the Docklands venue, which was also targeted in December 2023. In that incident, police were called to Almina, then operating at Glenti Place, after offenders were seen smashing a window before allegedly using accelerant to set the restaurant alight about 2.50am. The blaze caused extensive damage and came amid another series of suspicious attacks on Docklands restaurants, including multiple fires at NewQuay Promenade venue Karisma.

This time, while the damage to Almina was described as minor, the nature of the alleged offending, involving forced entry, accelerant and an attempted escape in a stolen car, is still concerning for local traders and hospitality operators.

The Docklands incident is the latest in a string of alarming arson attacks affecting hospitality venues in recent months, following similar incidents in the CBD and Southbank. Those attacks have raised growing concern among venue operators and business owners, with police last month establishing Operation Eclipse to investigate what they believe may involve serious and organised crime syndicates, as well as to determine the motive behind the offending.

Police have not yet commented on any specific motive behind the Docklands attack, and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity connected to the broader series of incidents is urged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers. •