Two men seen close to Melbourne pub blaze before assaulting site manager

A construction worker was allegedly assaulted by two men in balaclavas shortly before a suspicious blaze broke out in a South Melbourne pub.

The fire initially broke out on the bottom floor at The Motel nightclub, which was undergoing renovations and set to re-open as The Albion on October 16. 

A construction site manager who arrived at the building early this morning disrupted two men close to where the fire started and was assaulted.

Detectives are treating the fire as suspicious. An arson chemist will attend to process the scene. 

It is understood that Collingwood footballer Dane Swan is a part owner of the club.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade said that York Street is still closed as crews asses the situation, but stressed that there was no danger to the community.

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