Police in Melbourne are investigating whether a fire that gutted an Essendon cafe is connected to a drive-by shooting that occurred days earlier. Multiple outlets report that the cafe was destroyed in what authorities describe as a suspicious blaze. In the earlier incident, the venue was allegedly riddled with bullets during a drive-by attack. Investigators are now assessing evidence to determine whether the two events are related, including any similarities between the circumstances of the shooting and the subsequent fire. Police have not publicly determined a cause for the blaze or confirmed a connection between the incidents. Authorities are continuing inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the fire, with the investigation focusing on whether motivations, perpetrators, or other links can be established. The reports emphasise that the suspected relationship between the shooting and the fire is currently under review as part of the police investigation.