Truganina fatal house fire now a homicide investigation

Arson and Explosives Squad detectives will today release CCTV and are appealing for information following a fatal house fire at 95 Dover Street, Truganina on Thursday, January 16.

Investigators now believe this arson attack was likely linked to the illicit tobacco dispute and will be working with Taskforce Lunar.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray of the Arson & Explosives Squad Information believes it was a targeted attack but at the wrong address.

“This is a homicide. You owe it to Katie [Tangey] and her family if you know anything, to come forward,” First Constable Paul Hogan told ABC Radio Melbourne this morning.

“Katie Tangey, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a beloved member of her community, has needlessly lost her life in this senseless and despicable incident, which we are investigating as a deliberate act,” Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.

Police have still not been able to establish any reason why the woman or her family would be targeted in this way and believe they are completely innocent.

Shortly after 2am on Thursday, January 16, CCTV captures two people getting out of a dark-coloured vehicle – similar to a BMW X3 – parked outside.

A significant explosion then occurs, and the pair leave the area. The 27-year-old Hoppers Crossing woman inside the property subsequently calls triple zero (000) to say the home is alight.

Emergency services were initially called to reports of a fire at a residential property on Dover Street about 2:30am on Thursday, 16 January.

Katie Tangey was inside housesitting the property at the time, which belongs to one of her family members.

Katie, and the family’s golden retriever, died at the scene. The three-storey townhouse was destroyed.

“This is a tragedy. To those responsible: we are committing every resource we have to finding [sic] you and holding you accountable for this homicide,” Det. Insp. Chris Murray said.

A dark-coloured vehicle—similar to a BMW X3—is captured on CCTV travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at approximately 2:12 a.m.

A ring CCTV camera (main video) at the Dover Street house also captures the moment the house is engulfed, before two men, one carrying what appears to be a jerry can, flee the scene.

Over the past four weeks a significant investigation has taken place to determine the motivation for the attack and who was responsible.

This has led to Taskforce Lunar uncovering information that links this incident to the illicit tobacco dispute.

“However, we know this is solvable. We know this, because there are people out there who have information about who is responsible at all levels of this offence.

“We also know this is the type of crime even the most hardened criminal would be disgusted with – we implore them to come forward and tells us what they know via Crime Stoppers. As always, it can be done anonymously,” Det. Insp. Chris Murray said.

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Anyone with information or who recognises those or the vehicle involved is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.