Republica restaurant in St Kilda, Melbourne, attacked by arsonists again

A popular restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda has again been targeted by arsonists.

Fire crews were called to Republica at the St Kilda Sea Baths just before 4:00am and quickly brought the blaze under control, but the damage bill was estimated at $40,000.

The front door had been smashed and the building was filled with smoke.

Sergeant Peter Tasiopoulos, from Victoria Police, said the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Republica Restaurant (Pic : ABC News)

"We've viewed footage, there are two unknown persons who have entered the premises and used some sort of accelerant and then subsequently lit a fire, which has then engulfed part of the inside of the premises," Sergeant Tasiopoulos said.

Last month, three men were seen throwing petrol bombs at the restaurant, which resulted in a blaze that caused $50,000 damage.

Sergeant Tasiopoulos said police had not ruled out whether the two incidents were related.

"There is similarities to it, and we can't discount any connection to that," he said.

"But at this point we'd be seeking evidence in order to connect the two events."

He said police did not have evidence to link motorcycle gangs to the fires, but they had "not eliminated that area of inquiry".

The owners were "devastated" by the fire, coming into Christmas and New Year's Eve, Sergeant Tasiopoulos said.

Source : ABC News December 11th 2014