July 14, 2026 — 10:53amA man arrested in Essendon is accused of handing out firebombing jobs to numerous offenders during the spate of firebombings that terrorised Melbourne’s nightlife earlier this year.He was apprehended by Armed Crime Squad detectives on Tuesday morning.Between February and May this year, more than 30 firebombings, shootings, home invasions and kidnappings were involved in the crime spree.Venues across the CBD, South Yarra and Prahran went up in flames, with the spate of violence raising questions about the long-term viability of the Melbourne industry.An Iraq-based crime organisation is a prime suspect in the search for the perpetrator of the attacks. The group is believed to be behind threatening messages that were sent to multiple venue owners last week, warning that their businesses would be taken.More to comeBe the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.From our partners