Police are investigating a fire that broke out this morning at a building containing several empty shops in Melbourne’s north.
Police described the fire at the single-storey building on High Street in Preston as “suspicious”.
They urged anyone with information to come forward.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3am. (ABC News)
About 60 firefighters attended the scene around 3 in the morning.
They battled the fire for nearly three hours until it was declared under control.
Firefighters evacuated residents of an apartment building next door, out of concern that they were at risk from the fire.
Next to the vacant stores where the fire occurred is an apartment building. (Google Maps)
Police said in a statement that the building, which was being renovated, had suffered “significant damage”.
An arsonist will examine the scene for possible clues as to how the fire started.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via their website.