Source : the age
A young Melbourne woman was house-sitting for her brother and his wife, taking care of their dog while the couple were away on their honeymoon, when the unthinkable happened.
About 2am on Thursday, the 27-year-old made a panicked call to triple zero. She told the operator the house she was staying in Truganina, in the city’s outer west, was engulfed in flames – and she was trapped inside.
But it was too late.
Hours later, police would stand outside the blackened, scorched remains of the three-storey townhouse and tell reporters they believed the woman had been killed in an intentional attack – though she was not the target.
The head of the arson squad said police were working on the theory that two arsonists firebombed the wrong house, fleeing in a car as the flames roared.
“This girl did not deserve to lose her life,” said a visibly shaken Inspector Chris Murray on Thursday morning.
“She was the type of girl who doesn’t leave home very much. It was probably her first time really away and by herself.
“And she’s been subjected to the most appalling, despicable act one could imagine.”
Murray said the woman and her family were “completely innocent”.
The grief-stricken family had no history with police nor any known links with crime, and her death had left those who loved her “utterly devastated”.
The townhouse was destroyed.Credit: Penny Stephens
The dog was also inside the house at the time of the fire and remains unaccounted for, presumed dead.
Moments before the emergency call was made, a dark-coloured hatchback or small SUV was seen parked near the Dover Street home as neighbours reported hearing an explosion.
CCTV footage released by police on Thursday afternoon shows the car parking near the home at 2.03am.
At 2.10am, there is a burst of flames and two figures can be seen getting into the car and speeding away.
“We know two occupants got out of that vehicle,” Murray said.
“Some accelerant was poured inside the house and subsequently has engulfed the premises, and an innocent young lady has lost her life.
“Now we are looking for two murderers – let’s be clear about that.”
Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Callum Donoghue said by the time firefighters arrived, they could only suppress the blaze from outside – the inside of the home was already collapsing.
“Inside the dwelling is completely gutted … extremely damaged,” he told reporters Thursday morning.
Donoghue said 28 firefighters brought it under control within an hour, but the inside of the home exceeded 200 degrees, as they battled the blaze.
Murray said the arsonists climbed a fence before pouring accelerant on the home causing an explosion.
He was adamant the fire was not linked to Victoria’s tobacco wars, during which dozens of premises have been firebombed in a war for control of the illicit tobacco trade, but said police remained uncertain about a motive.
“We’re stuck,” he said.
“The premises and the family and the individual lead us nowhere. Therefore, the only logical conclusion I can draw is they’ve got the wrong premises.
“There seems to be a fascination with the use of fire to solve crime, solve beef, solve acts of revenge. These are the consequences we’re seeing, and they’re serious consequences.”
Murray said the victim’s family was grief-stricken.
“They are clearly, obviously, utterly devastated, as we would all be in these circumstances.”
A woman was found dead inside a Truganina townhouse on Thursday morning.Credit: Nine News
“What amazes me is, I know the type of individuals that do this – they do it for a few hundred dollars, thinking they’re going to burn something down,” Murray said.
“This was just a matter of time … this is a dangerous business. Fire is unpredictable. And of course, they’re going to put people’s lives in danger. I mean, they just need to wake up to themselves. And now, they’re not facing a criminal damage charge, they’re staring down the barrel of a homicide charge.”
Neighbour Sergey Smulovich was woken by police knocking on his door about 3.30am. He opened the front door to a street full of emergency vehicles and smoke and fire billowing from a house across the road.
“The police told me somebody had died in the fire,” he said.
Police are hunting for two men seen pouring accelerant inside the house.Credit: Penny Stephens
Smulovich said a young couple had lived in the home for a couple of years and had only left for overseas a few days ago.
“It is so sad, just shocking. I can’t believe what has happened. I’m just in shock.”
Murray said patrols would be strengthened in Truganina, although he reassured the community there was no lingering threat given the fire was a targeted attack – albeit the wrong address.
He urged anyone with information about the crime or the offenders to contact police.
“If they’ve gone to a hospital or doctors, if someone’s seen someone come home who’s had a burn, that’s something we’d like to hear about,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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