Police are investigating whether a fire this morning at a Bendigo tobacco store, which only opened about a week ago, is linked to a string of arson attacks in Melbourne.
A car rammed into the Hargreaves Mall building about 4:30am, causing damage to nearby businesses as the Free Choice tobacco store caught alight.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said the crash caused the fire.
No-one was injured or inside the store at the time.
Fire Rescue Victoria and Country Fire Authority crews brought the fire under control about 9am.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said they were treating it as suspicious and would investigate possible links to other recent fires.
The market for illegal tobacco has become increasingly lucrative in recent years.
Police have alleged syndicates made up of Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs were engaging low-level criminals to carry out much of the offending.
Victoria Police has set up Taskforce Lunar to investigate the fires and whether they are linked to organised crime.
Investigators urged anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area, or have other information, to come forward.
Attack shocks locals
Matthew Anderson manages Pagan Lore Tattoo Studio next to the Free Choice Tobacco store.
He said the attack also impacted his workplace, which was expected to be closed for a few days.
"There is a lot of damage to the Free Choice, also damage to the clothing store next door and Pagan Lore Tattoo," he said.
Mr Anderson was shocked to hear of a local business apparently being targeted.
"This is a quiet, quaint town. We wouldn't have thought things would come here," he said.
Resident Michael Kellow, who walks past Hargreaves Mall with his dog every morning, was shocked to see the road and mall closed and businesses damaged.
"To drive through bollards, to drive their car into the shop … this doesn't happen in Bendigo," he said.
"We've got enough problems, we don't need people from Melbourne doing this. Locals wouldn't do this."