A suspicious fire at a popular entertainment district in Melbourne’s southeast is believed to be linked to a series of targeted arson attacks.

A vacant retail space at Station Street in Oakleigh was purposefully set alight, which then impacted a tobacco shop next door, Victoia Police said.

No one was inside either shop when the fire broke out at 3.15am on Wednesday.

The investigation remains open and detectives say it could be linked to a spate of attacks thought to be connected to the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.

Four people were arrested last month and police are investigating whether organised crime syndicates orchestrated the firebombings.

“The community, particularly tobacco store owners and staff, are a crucial part of our ability to stop these incidents before innocent people are killed or seriously injured,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

Border Force and Victoria Police officers have visited more than 75 tobacco stores over the last few weeks and say they will step up patrols around affected areas.

Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the Oakleigh incident has been asked to contact investigators.