Police investigate arson attacks in neighbouring Melbourne suburbs
Firefighters brought the blaze under control within an hour. (ABC News)
In short:
An unoccupied house in Essendon was targeted by suspected arsonists just before midnight on Tuesday.
Just an hour later, a business in the neighbouring suburb of Moonee Ponds was the subject of a suspected deliberate fire.
Police say there's no information to suggest the fires are linked, but their investigation is in the very early stages.
Police are investigating two suspicious fires in neighbouring suburbs in Melbourne's north-west overnight.
Emergency services were called to a house on Deakin Street, Essendon, just before midnight to find the property alight.
Victoria Police said investigators had been told unknown offenders were seen fleeing the scene.
Fire Rescue Victoria said crews arrived within five minutes and brought the fire under control within an hour.
Fire crews were called to a property in Deakin street, Essendon just before midnight. (ABC News)
About 30 firefighters worked on the blaze and stopped it from spreading to neighbouring houses.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but Victoria Police say they have established a crime scene and the investigation is ongoing.
The property was unoccupied when the fire started.
Less than an hour later, emergency services were called to a fire at a hair and skin clinic in the neighbouring suburb of Moonee Ponds.
Police said unknown offenders set fire to the hair and skin clinic and fled the scene. (ABC News)
Victoria Police said unknown offenders were believed to have thrown jerry cans into the business on Shuter Street before setting it alight.
Scorched jerry cans could be seen at the front of the business this morning.
Police said the offenders fled the scene in a light coloured vehicle, heading north towards Puckle Street.
Jerry cans could be seen outside the business on Wednesday morning. (ABC News: Ethan White)
Police have established a crime scene, and the investigation is ongoing.
Victoria Police said there was no information to suggest the fires were linked, but stressed that investigations were in their early stages.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
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