Fire crews have extinguished a deliberately lit fire that destroyed a South Melbourne hotel part-owned by AFL and NRL identities, opening the way for detectives and arson chemists to examine the scene.
The Albion Hotel was set alight at about 6.30am on Monday and it wasn't until late on Monday night the Metropolitan Fire Brigade finally gave the all-clear, giving police and arson chemists the chance to move into the scene.
The pub is owned by a a group of people including Collingwood superstar Dane Swan and former Melbourne Storm players Robbie Kearns and Danny Williams.
A construction worker was punched in the face when he disturbed two men wearing ski masks or balaclavas inside the pub, which was to re-open on October 16 after months of renovations.
Detective acting Senior Sergeant David Cox says the attack left the worker dazed but not seriously injured.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Police have spoken to the pub's part owners but are yet to speak to the principal owner, Matt Darcy, who is the brother of former Western Bulldogs player Luke Darcy.
There's been no indication the blaze was part of a threat against the pub's associates, police say.
"We'll keep an open mind about what's happened," Det Sen Sgt Cox said.
"Specific threats or anything like that are subject to ongoing police investigations."
