South Melbourne’s Rare Breed Gym on Montague Street has been targeted by arsonists twice in the space of 24 hours, with the second attack leaving the building with major fire damage and a collapsed roof.
What Happened at Rare Breed Gym
The first incident occurred in the early hours of Monday 16 June, when investigators believe a white vehicle rammed the rolled door of Rare Breed Gym at 139 Montague Street at around 3:50am. Police were told the offenders lit a fire inside before fleeing in the vehicle. No one was inside the building at the time, and no arrests were made. Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives opened an investigation.
The gym was cordoned off with police tape that morning. By Tuesday 17 June, emergency services were back on Montague Street for a second time. Fire rescue vehicles were attending what appeared to be a substantially more serious blaze, with visible fire damage and a collapsed roof inside the building. The gym was again surrounded by police tape, leaving no doubt that this was a deliberate and escalating pattern of attacks on the same premises.
Rare Breed operates as a boxing, strength and recovery gym with locations in South Melbourne and Mordialloc, positioning itself as a community-oriented fitness facility.
Police Investigation
Investigations into the circumstances of the first attack remain ongoing. Anyone with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
It is not yet known whether the two attacks are directly linked to the same offenders, or whether the white vehicle involved in the first incident has been identified. Police have not made a public statement about the second attack at the time of writing.
What This Means for the Surrounding Area
Montague Street runs through the heart of South Melbourne’s commercial and light industrial precinct, connecting residents, commuters and businesses between the suburb’s core and the Fishermans Bend corridor. Two consecutive early-morning attacks on the same address, with the second resulting in major structural damage, is the kind of incident that raises questions well beyond the property boundary.
The targeting of a gym, a community-facing business with no obvious connection to organised crime, has drawn attention to what appears to be a deliberate campaign rather than an opportunistic act. The use of a vehicle to breach the building’s security in the first attack, followed by a second and apparently more damaging fire the following night, points to intent that investigators will need to pursue carefully.
South Melbourne has a <a href=”https://durhamhouse.com.au/category/local-news/“>strong local business community</a>, and incidents of this nature affect not only the business directly targeted but the broader sense of security in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rare Breed Gym in South Melbourne? Rare Breed Gym is located at 139 Montague Street, South Melbourne.
When did the arson attacks on Rare Breed Gym occur? The first attack took place in the early hours of Monday 16 June 2026. A second, more destructive fire occurred the following night, with emergency services attending on the morning of Tuesday 17 June 2026.
Have police made any arrests? No arrests had been made as of the time of writing. Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating, and police are calling for witnesses or anyone with footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
What damage was caused? The first attack caused a fire inside the gym after offenders rammed the entry door with a vehicle. The second attack resulted in major fire damage including a collapsed roof structure.
