A newly opened vegan cafe run by an Indian-origin couple in Melbourne was severely damaged in a suspected arson attack on October 12, destroying more than $100,000 of their life savings just three months after launching.

A Sudden Blast in Fitzroy North

Emergency crews rushed to St Georges Road in Fitzroy North at approximately 3:45 am following reports of an explosion. Investigators believe that intruders broke into a neighbouring tobacconist and deliberately ignited a blaze that completely incinerated the tobacco outlet and ripped through adjoining storefronts. The cafe, named And Bodega, bore the catastrophic brunt of the fire.

Co-owner Ashish Sharma recalled entering a scene of sheer devastation that looked like an active conflict zone. Heavy soot blanketed every surface, structural fixtures were charred beyond recognition, and the roof had completely melted away under extreme heat. In a shocking blow just twenty-four hours after the blast, opportunists targeted the vulnerable, ruined property, stealing approximately $5,000 worth of surviving technological gear and cafe equipment.

Immigrant Dreams Reduced to Rubble

The tragedy highlights the immense fragility and immense sacrifice behind diaspora enterprise. Co-owner Manali Purohit, who grew up in Mumbai and completed professional training as a pastry chef in India, relocated abroad to pursue her entrepreneurial vision alongside Sharma. To establish And Bodega, the couple poured in their entire financial reserve—more than $100,000 (roughly Rs 94 lakh). They spent five rigorous months manually renovating the Fitzroy North commercial space, hunting down pre-owned furnishings, and executing most of the physical construction themselves to conserve capital.

"We put in basically all our life savings. We did a lot of it DIY," said co-owner Sharma.

That five-month labour of love unraveled in minutes. After opening doors in July 2026, the venue had traded for barely twelve weeks before the deliberate fire next door wiped out their operational footing, demonstrating how swiftly years of immigrant toil can be vaporized by unchecked external violence.

Severe Shortfall in Recovery Funds

The financial aftermath has introduced an insurmountable hurdle for the couple. Standard commercial insurance assessments indicate that Sharma and Purohit will receive an indemnity payout capped at approximately $25,000. However, full structural restoration, equipment replacement, and regulatory compliance at the St Georges Road address require an estimated $100,000. This leaves a crippling $75,000 deficit that the founders cannot absorb independently.

To confront the crisis, the pair launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign aimed at clearing outstanding liabilities to vendor networks, issuing wages to displaced staff, and exploring alternative leased premises to salvage the brand.

Wider Arson Wave Gripping Melbourne

The attack is not an isolated incident. Metropolitan Melbourne has been shaken by an aggressive wave of commercial firebombings targeting tobacco retail shops, with law enforcement documenting hundreds of coordinated strikes since late 2023. While many previous incidents across Victoria were attributed to criminal syndicates battling over illicit trade networks, investigators confirmed that there is currently no evidence indicating the targeted St Georges Road tobacconist dealt in unregulated tobacco products. Victoria Police had made no arrests in connection with the St Georges Road blaze at the time of reporting.

Despite the trauma, the local community has mobilized in solidarity. Neighbouring food operators have offered to contribute proceeds from their daily turnover, host independent fundraisers, and provide supply support, while regular patrons have expressed heartbreak over the destruction. Purohit stated that the couple has felt profoundly sustained by the local embrace as they plot an uncertain road to recovery.