Popular Melbourne venue the Albion Hotel was targeted by arsonists early Wednesday, in a confronting return to the past.
According to witnesses, two offenders forced their way into the building and were seen entering with jerry cans around 3am.
They reportedly lit three fires inside before escaping in a vehicle, headed north on Northumberland Street.
“Investigations are ongoing into the cause and circumstances of the fires, which are being treated as suspicious,” said a police spokesperson.
It took firefighters almost an hour to bring the fires, which were contained to the ground floor, under control.
It’s understood no-one was inside the pub during the incident.
Police cordoned off the area. A red jerry could be seen discarded on Northumberland St.
It’s a stark case of déjà vu for the hotel.
In late 2015 – just 11 days before it was set to reopen after an extensive and lavish refurbishment – it was reported two men wearing balaclavas broke into the site early on a Monday morning and set it alight. They were said to have been disturbed by the site foreman, Andrew Winston McMahon, who was knocked out and left in the burning building.
Police initially focused on rival businesses operated by outlaw motorcycle gangs, but investigators became suspicious when they discovered power to the site had been cut just prior to the attack, rendering the CCTV inoperative.
McMahon’s contracted building company, Winston Mac P/L, was struggling financially and said to be behind schedule on several projects, including the Albion site.
The builder reportedly admitted to police to starting the fire due to panic over his inability to complete the ambitious project on schedule, and he was charged with arson.
Despite the extensive damage, the hotel was spared the wrecking ball and salvaged.
The operation was under the banner of Albert Park Leisure (APL), which corporate records say was run by Matt Darcy, brother to former AFL star Luke Darcy, who also fronts Richmond Leisure. APL was previously also part owned by former Collingwood star Dane Swan.
Early 2025 APL called in receivers, said to owe creditors including the Commonwealth Bank, ATO, and City of Port Phillip over $4.5 million. Swan distanced himself from the failed business, relaying he had not been involved for years.
This was soon after the sale of The Albion to entertainment outfit District 14, which reopened it as Albion rooftop bar and nightclub.
In what may be an unrelated incident, three men were witnessed loitering around a luxury car dealership in Port Melbourne about 5am, before jumping the fence. Shortly after, emergency services responded to a call that several vehicles had been set alight.
Investigations continue.
