A tobacconist shop in Fortitude Valley was set on fire causing serious damage to the new business.
The firebombing happened around 3:30 am of 26 December 2024. CCTV footage showed a masked man entering the business on Wickham Street – next to Prohibition nightclub – with a jerry can and assaulted the owner. After a brief scuffle with the shop owner, the attacker lit the shop on fire and ran off, possibly with burns from the blaze.
Brisbane Regional Duty Officer (RDO), Inspector Jane Healy said the owner, who was in the store at the time, ran out, and then the male person as they believe has set the place on fire.
Police are searching for a male suspect in connection with the incident, who is believed to have been wearing a disguise or covering his face. However, there is no evidence that the suspect was armed. A piece of burnt shoe has been seized from the scene as evidence.
Wickham Street, between Gipps and Brunswick Streets, was closed until about 7:30 am as emergency services worked to secure the area. The fire was reported under control by 3:55 am and fully extinguished by about 4:40 am. The crime scene remained under the management of the Queensland Fire Department as of 11:30 am.
The shop, which had only been open a few weeks, was gutted by the fire. This attack is the latest in a string of similar incidents across the region, sparking fears of organised crime involvement and links to the illegal tobacco trade.
Police Investigation and Community Concerns
Queensland Police Service (QPS) are investigating the Fortitude Valley incident, looking into potential connections to organised crime. Officers are analysing CCTV and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities believe organised crime groups are behind these attacks, driven by profits from untaxed, unregulated tobacco sales. Violent disputes over territory are becoming a troubling trend.
Similar incidents have been reported in Victoria and South Australia, where specialised units have been established to combat the issue. City authorities are considering a focused response to address the rising threat.
What Happens Next
Police are continuing their investigation and are urging anyone with information or video footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Local businesses are being encouraged to ramp up security and stay alert for any suspicious activity.
Published 27-Dec-2024
