Melbourne Cafe Severely Damaged in Suspected Arson Attack

And Bodega, a vegan cafe in Melbourne, was severely damaged in a firebombing attack on October 12, 2026, which targeted a neighboring tobacco shop. The cafe, which was opened by Ashish Sharma and Manali Purohit, had been renovated over five months and required more than $100,000 of the couple's life savings. This incident is part of a series of firebombings targeting tobacco shops in Melbourne since 2023.

The attack represents a significant financial loss for the owners, who invested their life savings into the business. The repeated attacks on tobacco shops in Melbourne could indicate a localized risk to small commercial property owners and insurance markets in the city.