Publicans fear for people's lives amid continued Melbourne bar firebombings

Saturday, 2 May 2026 12:43

Police have arrested three men after another arson attack in Melbourne overnight, as a Molotov cocktail was also thrown at another bar in the city.

Melbourne's hospitality war has grown further with three more attacks overnight.

One of the latest victims says it is only a matter of time before someone is killed, while the home of another was shot at while his wife and children slept inside.

Two cars pulled up at a Pakenham home and rammed the electric gate before confronting the owner and firing a gunshot.

Police are now investigating the motive of the attacks.

The target was Dominic Porter, the co-owner of the Albion Hotel, which was set alight by arsonists two weeks ago.

This morning's ambush came just before 6am with Porter's wife and children asleep inside.

It was one of several early morning incidents.

At 2.30am a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the George Hotel in South Melbourne.

Publican Scott Connolly said he feared for people's lives.

"The first thing that came to my mind this morning was thank God none of our staff were here," he said.

"There was no one upstairs. People can die from this. Someone is going to die eventually. Like, it's so senseless."

He said he had not received any demands from a crime syndicate believed to be responsible.

"It makes zero sense to me why we would be targeted and for a business still finding its feet, it's really crippling," he said.

An hour after that attack, Lebanese restaurant Almina in Docklands was set ablaze.

The same restaurant was lit up in 2023 during the tobacco turf war.

This time police arrested three people nearby aged 16 to 22.

There have been about a dozen attacks on hospitality venues since April, with Victoria Police setting up Operation Eclipse in a bid to try to combat the crime wave.

Some popular venues are taking extra safety measures.

The Emmerson in South Yarra has parked a large truck out the front of the venue after shots were fired at the entrance last week.

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