Another tobacconist targeted in attempted arson attack in Melbourne

A tobacconist has been partly destroyed after an attempted arson attack and ram raid in Melbourne this morning.

A car reversed into the shop front on Clarendon Street in South Melbourne, about 2.15am.

The would-be arsonists left behind a jerry can after failing to start a fire.

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Police believe the offender may have set themselves alight while trying to torch the shop and is likely injured.

A witness to the scene said "it's actually really scary".

"You hear about it all the time but it's different when it's so close."

Police are treating the blaze as targeted and suspicious.

It comes just days after another tobacconist in Hadfield was firebombed for the second time in two months

Detectives are investigating whether the incident is linked to a series of arson attacks targeting tobacco stories across the state.

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Arson chemists attended the crime scene today.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area or with information to come forward.

There have been close to 30 arson attacks across the state since March.

Some stores have been hit multiple times as warring crime groups vie for control of the illicit tobacco trade, with innocent businesses caught in the middle.

The Victorian government has admitted it needs do further work to tighten its approach to the sale of tobacco.

Victoria Police's taskforce lunar has been investigating the string of incidents linked to the tobacco war and several arrests have been made.