A Queensland tobacconist has been smashed into and deliberately set on fire in an overnight attack in Gladstone.
Two masked men, dressed in black, targeted the store on Hampton Dr at Tannum Sands at about 3am on Friday.
They smashed the front door with a hammer before using an unknown ignition device to start a fire inside the premises.
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The pair then fled on foot towards Garnet Rd.
Detective Inspector Luke Peachey said the damage was “significant”.
“I don’t believe it’s caused any structural damage, but obviously (have been quite significantly affected),” he said.
The fire was extinguished by people at a nearby gym who spotted the blaze and rushed to help.
The incident occurred within an hour of a separate break-in at Gladstone Central Plaza, a shopping centre about a 30-minute drive away.
Thieves rammed a car into the building and stole a large quantity of jewellery at about 2am on Friday.
Police are investigating whether the two incidents are linked.
“We haven’t ruled it out,” Peachey said.
“We’re keeping an open mind, but at this stage there’s no evidence to suggest they are connected.”
Peachey added the nature of the offences was “very concerning”, and said police were working to prevent further incidents.
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to contact police.
