Police are investigating whether a suspected arson attack on an ice cream shop in Melbourne's south-west is linked to organised crime.

It is the second time since 2024 the shop has been firebombed, having only reopened after the first attack five months ago.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a a popular shopping and restaurant district on Nelson Place in Williamstown about 3.45am.

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Multiple crews worked to extinguish the blaze at the ice creamery but the premises sustained "significant" damage, police said.

Residents were woken in the night to a frightening scene.

"The smoke was really unbearable, all of a sudden we could hear bangs," local resident Leo Raffoul said.

"It was really scary, we all had to be evacuated in the middle of the night, bring the children out on the street."

The shop was unoccupied at the time of the fire, as was a residence above the business.

Police have established a crime scene.

Such attacks on ice cream shops have become more common in recent times.

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Since late 2022, there have been at least six suspicious fires at ice cream shops on the Nelson Place strip, with another in Tarneit in Melbourne's west also set on fire.

The two attacks that happened in the last two days are believed to be linked to the notorious Haddara family.

Raffoul said residents were becoming frustrated with the recent attacks.

"We approached the council that they should put surveillance camera and [we're] really angry that they haven't done anything about it," he said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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A man has been charged after allegedly leading police on a pursuit through Sydney's west that ended in a two-hour siege at an apartment block.

The chase began just after 3am when police tried to stop a Toyota Camry on Aurora Drive in Tregear.

Police began chasing the car along Luxford Road, where it was allegedly seen on video speeding, before it turned into a block of flats on Halinda Street in Whalan.

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Police allege Shaun Baxter, 38, got out of the car and went inside, leaving a passenger behind.

Police arrested the passenger but said he was quickly released after they spoke to him.

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They set up a perimeter around the apartments, waiting for the man to come out.

Police told residents to stay inside for their own safety.

"[A] swarm of cops followed after, [the] canine unit and more cops came up, got a scent of him, took off down the driveway," witness Declan Boulson said.

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When Baxter emerged at 5am, he was arrested and charged with multiple offences.

That includes not stopping leading to a police pursuit, driving recklessly, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, and breaching a domestic violence apprehended violence order.

He appeared in court today, where he was refused bail.

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It appears the former minister might have been the victim of a last-minute plan change.

Police most recently confirmed a death in a Bay of Plenty crash this afternoon.

The main transport workers' union in NSW has called on the state government to scrap fares on public transport as more people ditch cars due to the rising cost of petrol.

With diesel reaching above $3 a litre in some parts of the country, and unleaded not too far behind, more people are using public transport to commute to and from work.

With higher inflation and interest rates also contributing to cost-of-living pressures, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) believes public transport fares should either be reduced significantly or temporarily removed altogether.

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"We could reduce to nothing for a period of time, or drop it to 50 cents, which has worked well in Queensland," RTBU NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes said at a press conference in Sydney today.

"Get them out of their cars, give them cost-of-living relief, use the fuel where we need it."

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Transport Minister John Graham quickly poured cold water on the idea, claiming public transport in Sydney was already priced fairly.

"Public transport is a good alternative if you are worried about fuel prices," he said without supporting the union's initiative.

The daily cap for adults using public transport in Sydney is $19.30 between Monday and Thursday, and $9.65 from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays.

Current estimates show Australians are paying about $30 more per tank of unleaded petrol and $70 per tank of diesel since the start of the US and Israel's war in Iran.

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The government says oil shipments haven't been hugely impacted by the recent conflict in the Middle East, with federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen declaring only six of the 81 shipments of oil to Australia since the conflict began earlier this month have been cancelled.

He also quashed the idea of fuel rationing being required in parts of Australia, despite some petrol pumps running dry.

"The federal government does have powers, we are not contemplating to use any of those powers," he said.

He conceded there would be "bumps in supply".

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