Melbourne’s tobacco wars have exploded after a ram raid overnight led to another 10 nearby shops being engulfed by flames.

Fire Rescue Victoria crews were called to what is believed to be a tobacco shop on Victoria Street in Richmond at 4.15am on Monday.

Crews arrived within three minutes to find the shop, on the edge of Melbourne’s city centre, fully alight and it took 80 firefighters and 25 firefighting trucks to get the blaze under control by 6am.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said about 10 shops within a single building had been damaged.

No one was inside at the time.

Victoria Police say unknown offenders drove a vehicle into the business before setting the building alight and fleeing.

Crews remained at the scene well into Monday morning.

A crime scene is in place and a police investigation into the incident is under way.

Victoria Street was expected to be closed to cars and trams for hours between Church Street and Hoddle Street, causing major headaches during Melbourne’s morning peak hour.

-AAP