A Lalor barber shop caught fire in the early hours of Tuesday after a car was backed into the shop through the front window.
Firefighters were called to the Lorne Street shop just before 1am.
The shop was unoccupied at the time of the incident and the occupants of the vehicle appeared to have left the scene prior to brigade arrival.
Residents living behind the shop were evacuated from their home as a precaution and assessed by Ambulance Victoria for symptoms of smoke inhalation. No injuries were reported.
The fire was deemed suspicious.
