Suspicious fire engulfs iconic former entertainment complex in Melbourne
An intense fire engulfed a historic former entertainment complex in Melbourne overnight, sending plumes of smoke over nearby suburbs.
The Jam Factory on Chapel Street in South Yarra, which is currently undergoing construction for major renovations, went up in flames about 1.30am today.
Fire Rescue said firefighters rushed to the scene to find the blaze within a third of the brick building on the sub-floor, the first floor and the old stairway.
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An intense and suspicious fire engulfed the well-known old Jam Factory in Melbourne's east overnight. Nine
No one was at the construction site during the time of the fire, nor was anyone injured. Nine
Black smoke was billowing from the site, prompting a smoke advice warning to the local community.
The fire was brought under control about an hour later, and crews remained at the scene throughout the morning to continue extinguishing the flames.
No one was at the construction site during the time of the fire, nor was anyone injured.
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Demolition work on the Jam Factory in Chapel st South Yarra in March. PENNY STEPHENS
Victoria Police are investigating the cause of the fire and have deemed it suspicious.
The site is undergoing a multibillion-dollar redevelopment that will transform it into four residential towers, two hotels, a new cinema and 15,000 square metres of office space.
Multi-billion-dollar developer GURNERTM Group commenced demolition works for the redevelopment in December.
The heritage-listed site was previously used as a brewery, to produce jam and for other industrial purposes, beginning in the 1850s.
Anyone with information about the fire is urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
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