Melbourne cafe destroyed by fire days after drive-by shooting
A Melbourne cafe has been left gutted following an early-morning fire, less than a week after the same venue was targeted in a drive-by shooting.
Fire crews were called to Andy's Cafe on Mount Alexander Road in Essendon at around 1am on Monday, responding to what police have classified as a suspicious blaze. A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said crews reached the scene within five minutes to find the single-storey building fully alight, with flames extending into the roof space before being brought under control by 1.22am.
By Monday morning, the venue's interior was left charred and covered in debris, with loaves of bread and melted furniture strewn out the front of the site. The neighbouring Australia Post outlet was undamaged and continued trading as normal.
No one was inside the cafe when the fire broke out, but investigators were told a dark-coloured SUV was seen leaving the area. Police have set up a crime scene, with an arson chemist expected to examine the site. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and detectives are working to establish whether it is connected to a shooting incident at the same address the previous Friday.
The earlier shooting was captured on CCTV, showing a white Toyota Kluger travelling slowly past the cafe as shots were fired into the shopfront. Police, who observed the shooting directly, pursued the vehicle with the assistance of the police helicopter, tracking it to Taylors Lakes. Two Keilor Downs men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with offences including discharging a firearm in a public place, criminal damage and theft of a motor vehicle.
Cafe owner Raymond Yacoub, who spoke to Nine News following the shooting, said he had been unable to identify a motive for the attack on his long-running business. "It is [a] disaster. Unexpected. I have been here almost 18 years, I've never had an issue," he said. "I wouldn't have a clue." Yacoub said the incident may have stemmed from mistaken identity, adding: "I haven't received any threat, anything at all. It's scary, of course. You never know when it's going to happen."
The fire adds to mounting concern within the hospitality sector over arson and violent attacks on venues across Victoria. Earlier this month, the state government unveiled a $10 million hospitality security fund to help businesses strengthen fire safety and security measures. Venues not directly affected by fire-related crime can access up to $5000 in funding on a matched-contribution basis, while those directly impacted are eligible for up to $25,000 without needing to contribute.
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association CEO Wes Lambert told ABC Radio Melbourne the pattern of attacks was distinct to the state. "It's disheartening.
Ultimately, the hospitality industry should be able to rely on the police force in Victoria to stop these types of things from happening," he said. Lambert welcomed the funding but criticised its co-contribution requirement, and said the issue was intensifying: "Now that it's coming into cafes, you are coming into my backyard, and I'm a fervent advocate for our segment, and we won't stop until the problem is solved."
Jonathan Jackson, 14th July 2026
