Criminals try to open ATM machine ... with bomb

MELBOURNE - An ATM and a butcher shop have been destroyed in a bombing at a shopping centre in a northern Melbourne suburb.

Police said it's the first time criminals have used a bomb to blow up an ATM in Melbourne.

The bombing happened in the early hours yesterday at the Edgewater Boulevard shops in Maribynong.

Neighbours heard the explosion, but emergency services were not called until 5.30am local time, when the owners of Edgeware Meats turned up to work.

Detective Sergeant Rod Stormonch from the arson squad said the ATM was the target, but it was still too early to say if money was taken, and how much.

"At this stage, we're still trying to render the scene safe for our arson chemists to go in," Stormonch said at the scene.

He said he was unsure what sort of chemicals were used in the explosion.

"Whoever has done this today has got some knowledge of explosives or how to cause an explosion of this type."

Bomb squad members spent yesterday morning making the scene safe.

Investigators planned to look at CCTV footage.

Stormonch said it was lucky no one was hurt.

- AAP