Chery car dealership run by Married At First Sight (MAFS) contestant James Susler firebombed in Port Melbourne
A Melbourne car dealership run by a veteran We Married at First Sight The Star was bombed in the early hours of Wednesday morning, becoming the latest victim of an almost daily arson attack in the city.
Firefighters were called to the Chery car dealership in Plummer Street, Port Melbourne, at about 4.50am and found the showroom filled with smoke and three cars on fire. 30 firefighters, including an aerial unit, worked to extinguish the blaze at 5:23 a.m.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said the fire was being treated as suspicious and Victoria Police’s arson squad would be investigating. “Fire crews will remain at the scene to ensure the fire is completely extinguished,” he said.
A police spokesman said the exact circumstances have not been established and anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers. No one was injured in the attack and Plummer Street was closed in both directions.
The dealership’s general manager is entrepreneur and Season 8 contestant James Susler. Married at First Sight, According to Susler’s LinkedIn and Instagram. The dealership opened just five days ago.
Susler told reporters at the scene that he wasn’t aware why the dealership would be targeted.
“This is not the best, not the ideal situation… but we will grow and we will become stronger,” he told Nine News.
It is unclear whether detectives from Victoria Police’s specialist Operation Eclipse task force are investigating whether this incident is linked to a series of attempted firebombings and arson attacks on Melbourne nightlife venues by organized crime gang “The Cartel”.
The gang sent messages to venue owners warning that the attacks were aimed at taking their businesses, their families and their “souls”. The majority of arrests made by Victoria Police so far have involved teenage boys who were paid a small fee to carry out attacks on behalf of the gang.
On Tuesday, Melbourne nightclub La Di Da was the target of an early morning arson attack and the Bodyline brothel in Yarraville was the subject of a drive-by shooting.
Susler has been contacted for comment.
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Angus Delaney is a reporter for The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31.Connect via email.
