A 32-year-old man has been formally charged in connection with a devastating fire that engulfed a Spotswood law firm in May and a separate shooting incident at an Altona North tobacco store two weeks prior.

Investigators have laid a comprehensive list of charges against the individual, who has been remanded in custody to appear in court in October.

Fiery Destruction in Spotswood

The first major incident unfolded in the early hours of May 26, when emergency services were called to a converted factory on Hudsons Road in Spotswood. Police allege a ute was deliberately rammed into the building around 2:30 AM, triggering a fierce blaze that quickly took hold.

The factory housed a law firm, which was completely destroyed by the fire. The inferno posed a significant risk to the surrounding community, forcing several sleeping residents in neighbouring properties to evacuate their homes as firefighters battled the flames. More than 50 firefighters worked tirelessly for over two hours to bring the conflagration under control, preventing further widespread damage, though some adjacent businesses sustained minor impacts.

Authorities have charged the man with arson, reckless conduct endangering life, breaching bail conditions, and driving while disqualified in relation to this incident.

Altona North Shooting Investigation Broadens

The ongoing investigation took a new turn as police revealed additional charges stemming from an earlier, violent incident. It is understood that on May 13, approximately two weeks before the Spotswood fire, a tobacco store in Altona North became the target of a shooting.

Initial reports indicated that shots were fired into the business, with at least one bullet striking the front window. The gravity of the situation prompted a thorough forensic examination and witness appeals at the time.

The new charges against the man are extensive and include serious firearm-related offences: possessing a firearm when a firearm prohibition order applies (x2), possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms (two or more), reckless conduct endangering life, possessing a drug of dependence, going equipped to steal, and handling stolen goods.

The combined charges paint a concerning picture of a series of alleged criminal acts that impacted local businesses and endangered residents across Melbourne's inner west. The accused remains in custody awaiting his court appearance, where he will face the full weight of the charges.