Three boys charged over Melbourne bar’s second arson attack in a week

Three teenage boys have been charged over the second arson attack on Melbourne CBD venue Bar Bambi in a week, while investigators probe another suspicious firebombing and an unrelated drive-by shooting in South Yarra overnight.

At 5am on Saturday, City of Melbourne staff saw a suspicious vehicle on CCTV near the corner of Flinders and AC/DC lanes.

When police arrived, the front of Bar Bambi was alight. Officers chased down two of the alleged offenders and arrested them, while another was arrested in a nearby laneway shortly after.

Police have since charged a 17-year-old from Darebin, a 16-year-old from Hume and a 15-year-old from Merri-bek with a raft of offences, including criminal damage by fire, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

The trio is expected to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

Saturday’s incident follows an earlier attack on Bar Bambi on April 18, when several men forced entry and tried to torch the venue, but fled before the fire could take hold.

A wave of firebombings, shootings and attempted kidnappings has afflicted Melbourne’s hospitality scene for the past two months, with at least 19 attacks on Melbourne venues since February 4.

Police are now probing another firebombing of a licensed venue in the early hours of Sunday, after Bar Up on Chapel Street, South Yarra, was set on fire just before 5am.

Emergency services received reports that a male offender started the blaze before fleeing on foot, causing “significant damage” to the building, according to a spokeswoman for Victoria Police.

The venue was closed when the blaze took hold.

A man was treated for smoke inhalation after unsuccessfully trying to extinguish the fire.

The offender was not located following patrols of the area, and is still on the run.

Nearby on Commercial Road in South Yarra, popular bar and club The Emerson was targeted in a drive-by shooting just before 2am on Sunday.

A vehicle allegedly pulled up outside the venue before several shots were fired towards the bar. No one was injured and the offenders drove away from the scene.

A small stretch of Commercial Road between Porter and Izett streets remains closed to traffic on Sunday morning.

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour, with CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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