Huge twist in Wandal arson case

Police make bombshell announcement following quick arrest

The Bromilow's Naughton Street home was totally gutted by fire last week. Picture: Maddelin McCosker

10AM: THE owner of a Wandal home which was destroyed by fire last week has been charged with burning it down.

Police say the 26-year-old Naughton St homeowner, believed to be Daniel Bromilow, has been charged with arson and attempted fraud following the south Rockhampton blaze.

Detective Senior Seargent Luke Peachy this morning told media that police had arrested a father who lived at the Naughton St address yesterday afternoon.

"The investigation has been ongoing and as a result of a thorough investigation we have a significant amount evidence which shows prior planning before the arson," he said.

"We are alleging the attempted fraud relates to an insurance claim in regards to the house fire and we are confident that through the evidence we have obtained that we are able to prefer theses charges."

Speaking to the motivations of the alleged offender, Det. Peachey said the evidence of attempted fraud makes it clear there were alleged monetary motivations for committing the arson.

Prior to yesterday's arrest, the homeowner had made claims of threats being made against him in the weeks prior to the fire.

Det Peachey said today there was little evidence to corroborate those claims.

"We have conducted a thorough investigation into those claims and there have been no charges in regards to that," he said.

"Police are confident there is no evidence (previous threats) have occurred."

Aware of community support for the family and a Go-Fund-Me page, Det Peachey said police had worked quickly on their investigation.

"We were quite aware there was a Go-Fund-Me page out there so we had to speed things and as a result we are quite confident now that we have significant evidence."

Det Peachey said information found on the mobile phone of the man they had arrested provided them with important evidence for their investigation.

Fire and police investigations have revealed a large amount of accelerant was reportedly used to start the fire.

With investigations ongoing, Det. Peachey said he was happy with the work of police which saw a person charged a week after the fire destroyed the home.

"Arsons are always quite complex, so it is great teamwork by the investigators involved and we are very happy with such a swift response."

The alleged offender is expected to appear in court on July 1.

7.45AM: ONE week after a Wandal home was gutted by a suspicious fire, police have charged a man.

The 26-year-old has been charged with arson and fraud after police and emergency services were called to a Naughton St home shortly before 4pm last Tuesday.

The owners of the home were left with next-to-nothing after the home was destroyed by the blaze.

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After living in the home for seven years Daniel and Codey Bromilow, as well as their 20-month-old daughter Rebekah were devastated to come home to find their house on fire.

"There is so much that is gone in that instant and we are still trying to process it to be honest," he told The Morning Bulletin last week.

DESTROYED: Codey and Daniel Bromilow, with their young daughter Rebekah, lost their home last to a fire that police are treating as suspicious. Picture: Maddelin McCosker

In the weeks prior to the fire, the Bromilow's said they had been receiving anonymous threats, and on the morning of the fire a flaming milk bottle had been left at their front door.

"It has been really terrifying," he said.

"Especially as we don't know who the threat are coming from."

MORE TO COME.

Originally published as Huge twist in Wandal arson case