Second Melbourne gym in two days targeted by arsonists

Melbourne police are treating a fire at a gym as a targeted arson attack. The incident occurred overnight at a gym and martial arts facility in the inner west suburb of Maidstone. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at Genesis Health Club around 12:30am. Firefighters arrived within seven minutes to find a three-story concrete building fully engulfed in flames.

It took about an hour for crews to bring the fire under control. The structure, which housed a gym and jiu-jitsu facility, suffered significant damage and was deemed unsafe for re-entry. No one was inside the building at the time of the fire. Boris, a trainee at the martial arts center, expressed his shock and sadness at the destruction of the facility, noting that it was a devastating blow to the coach and his family who are known for their dedication to the sport.

Nicole Foreman, who runs the adjacent childcare center, reported that the facility had to close for the day, affecting over 100 families who rely on the center for childcare. Police are treating the fire as a targeted incident and are currently investigating the arson attack. Anyone with information about the incident or suspicious activity in the area is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.

This follows a similar arson attack on a gym in Taylors Lakes on Tuesday night, which was also operated by Genesis Health Club. During that incident, two employees were instructed by masked assailants to evacuate the building before it was set alight.