CITY: Fire at Lonsdale St
Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a building fire in Lonsdale St, Melbourne, shortly before 3am on Thursday (Nov. 20)
Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find heavy smoke issuing from the four-storey concrete building.
Crews in breathing apparatus entered the building and attacked the fire in the basement housing a bar.
Firefighters searched the structure above, housing some restaurants and office spaces, with no persons found to be inside.
The fire was brought under control at 3.38am, 42 minutes after FRV arrived on scene.
The bar was extensively damaged in the blaze.
Crews were able to stop the fire from spreading to the floors above, but the building was smoke logged.
The response involved five pumpers, one aerial appliance, one rescue unit and two other units.
A total of 29 firefighters were on scene.
The fire was deemed as suspicious and will be investigated by Victoria Police.
FRV were to remain on scene for several hours fully extinguishing the fire.

