A car dealership in Melbourne\u2019s inner suburbs that opened its doors just days ago has become the latest target for arsonists.<\/p>\n
The showroom of Chery Melbourne City on Plummer St in Port Melbourne was found by emergency crews on fire about 4.50am on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The dealership had its official opening day last week. <\/p>\n
Chery celebrated the opening on social media on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter countless days of hard work, we\u2019re beyond excited to open the doors to our brand new Chery Melbourne City dealership,\u201d the post said.<\/p>\n
The dealerships owner and Chery chief is Melbourne entrepreneur James Susler.<\/p>\n
He is also the chief of used car businesses Sell Your Prestige Car and Melbourne Wholesale, located next door to Chery on Plummer St.<\/p>\n
Mr Susler also appeared on season eight of Married At First Sight in 2021.<\/p>\n
Speaking on ABC radio the dealership\u2019s manager said it was lucky the fire hadn\u2019t managed to get out of hand before emergency services arrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like they\u2019ve poured some fuel on the floor and lit it up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuckily, the floors are hard floors, so those flames have only caught onto some furniture and the reception desk at the front.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does look like one particular car caught fire, but at this point, it appears to be a lot of smoke damage rather than anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is understood two males brazenly broke into the dealership equipped with a jerry can, before splashing petrol across the show floor.<\/p>\n
One car was burned and more were damaged by smoke, and the building also sustained some damage.<\/p>\n
Chery had received no threats in the lead up to the attack, but one of the car dealerships next door was targeted by arsonists earlier this year prompting the company to hire a security guard.<\/p>\n
A shaken neighbouring business owner who was in his building at the time of the attack, said he heard banging and other loud noises coming from the dealership.<\/p>\n
Plummer St remained closed in both directions on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n