And Bodega Cafe Fire Damage
In short
The vegan cafe And Bodega in Melbourne suffered severe damage following a suspected firebombing at a neighbouring tobacco shop on 12 October 2026. The incident has caused significant financial loss for owners Ashish Sharma and Manali Purohit.
In plain words
A fire started at a nearby tobacco shop, likely through arson, and spread to the And Bodega cafe. The owners lost their life savings and their new business after only three months of operation.
A simple example
The owners spent five months renovating the premises and investing approximately Rs 94 lakh before the fire destroyed their hard work.
Why it matters
The event highlights the devastating impact of collateral damage caused by criminal acts targeting adjacent businesses. It also brings attention to the financial vulnerability of small business owners during such attacks.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse this incident with a fire caused by an accidental kitchen mishap within the cafe itself.