Teenager Charged Over $2M Melbourne Strip Fire

A 16-year-old boy has been charged over a fire that caused $2 million worth of damage to a retail strip in inner Melbourne last month.

An alleged stolen car was used to ram a convenience store on Victoria Street, on the border of Abbotsford and Richmond, in the early hours of July 6.

The shop was then set alight, with the fire spreading through up to adjoining businesses.

Two women living in one of the businesses were forced to flee the fire.

Police at the time said the offenders fled on foot.

It took 80 firefighters an hour and a half to bring the fire under control.

Fire Rescue Victoria said up to 10 businesses were impacted by the fire.

The street was cordoned off for much of the day, with store owners unable to get in to check on their properties.

Detectives today arrested the teenager and charged him with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at a children's court at a later date.