Arson Suspected in Attack on Sydney Influencer's Kebab Truck in Melbourne

Arson Suspected in Attack on Sydney Influencer's Kebab Truck in Melbourne

A recent incident involving a kebab truck owned by Sydney-based influencer Anthony Lees, known online as Spanian, has drawn attention after it was severely damaged in an alleged arson attack. This event occurred only weeks after the truck's launch attracted substantial crowds in Melbourne.

On the early morning of Friday, emergency services were dispatched to Bell Street in Preston following reports of the Spanian’s Kebabs truck engulfed in flames. Investigators suspect that a flammable liquid was used to ignite the truck around 4 AM, according to reports. Fortunately, first responders managed to bring the fire under control swiftly, and no injuries were reported.

This food truck represents the latest business endeavor for Anthony Lees, who has gained significant popularity for his unfiltered travel vlogs and his captivating YouTube series, "Into the Hood." Following the fire incident, the influencer took to Instagram to assure his followers of a quick recovery for the business. "They burnt the front wall, right, but it’s not an issue; there’s another truck already on the way," he stated, demonstrating optimism and resilience in the face of adversity.

Lees also emphasized the broader implications of such destructive actions on his community, urging locals to reflect on the personal and financial sacrifices made by truck owners. He pointed out, "Let me say two things … the owners of the trucks are people from your community. The trucks are part of their community and those people from your community save up for these trucks, and they have to pay for it."

Lees indicated that he anticipates the business will be operational again by that evening, as a replacement truck is en route from Sydney. The damaged vehicle will be repaired to resume service. Spanian’s Kebabs is currently running three other trucks in New South Wales and is actively pursuing further expansion, with plans for a new location set to open soon in Penrith.

Despite his popularity, Lees has had a contentious past; in 2023, he faced backlash after a homophobic outburst on social media led to his manager dropping him, highlighting the complexities and challenges surrounding public figures in the social media age.

As the investigation into the suspected arson continues, it appears that Spanian’s Kebabs will not let this setback hinder their operations for long. Lees remains committed to serving his loyal customers, ensuring they won’t be deprived of their late-night kebab cravings.

In the meantime, police are actively working to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident that affected this local business.

Lead image: Instagram

Author: Simran Pasricha, a News Writer/Producer specializing in culture, politics, and activism with PEDESTRIAN.TV.