Arson investigators have been deployed to Love Machine nightclub in Prahran after patrol officers discovered the venue engulfed in flames during the early hours of the morning. Police were patrolling the vicinity of Malvern Road when they spotted the fire around 2am and immediately called emergency services.
Victoria Police has confirmed that investigators are treating the incident as suspicious and an arson chemist is expected to examine the scene once the fire has been fully extinguished. The club was empty at the time of the incident, and no injuries have been reported.
The discovery adds another chapter to a difficult history at the three-level entertainment venue on Malvern Road. In 2019, the nightclub was the site of a drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a security guard. More recently, Love Machine has continued to attract police attention due to various incidents in the surrounding area.
The specific cause of the fire remains under investigation. Police are urging anyone with information or CCTV footage from the area to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit information online. The investigation is ongoing and detectives will conduct a thorough examination of the scene once fire crews have completed their operations.