Bomaderry alleged arson murder: Cops probe fight as family mourns
Loved ones of a man killed in a house fire have grieved outside the burned out home as police investigate if there was an ongoing dispute between the dead father and the young man alleged to have murdered him.
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The devastated children and friends of a man killed in an alleged arson attack have broken down outside the charred south coast home as police probe if there was bad blood between the dead man and the young local charged with his murder.
Victim Cameron Robert Johnson frantically phoned Triple-0 late on Friday night as his Bomaderry home went up in flames.
His 21-year-old son, who has special needs, escaped the inferno unscathed but the 49-year-old Mr Johnson died at the scene.
The Daily Telegraph understands the father, in his final moments on the phone with emergency services, was only concerned with saving his son’s life.
Detectives arrested 26-year-old Harley Thompson a few doors down from the burned out Leonard St home on Saturday.
Police allege he had smashed a window at the Johnsons’ home before pouring petrol inside and lighting the blaze.
The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Johnson and his alleged killer may have argued before the fire, and that is one line of inquiry.
Neighbours reported hearing arguing and yelling at Mr Johnston’s home before it was engulfed in flames just after 10.30pm on Friday.
Sources said police, after the arrest, were still working to figure out how the pair knew one another.
A young woman, identifying herself as Mr Johnson’s daughter, arrived at the scene on Sunday to pick through the rubble.
She was overcome with emotion at the sight of the home which was boarded up and fenced off with a melted car still in the driveway.
A man from across the road, on Sunday, stood in the driveway and shook his head in disbelief.
“I’m not okay, this was my best mate,” he said in a quivering voice.
A small bouquet of flowers were attached to the fence outside the home as Thompson fronted court on Sunday.
He made no application for bail and is charged with murder and three counts of destroy or damage property.
Detectives went door to door on Sunday speaking with every person they could.
A car, parked out the front of the Johnson home, appears to have police fingerprint dust over its bonnet.
Local news reports, from March last year, say a man matching Johnson’s age and name was given a good behaviour bond for importing 6000 prescription pills
Thompson will reappear before Nowra Local Court tomorrow.
“I walked out the front to see flames coming from the house about three houses up and explosions on and off,” neighbour Shaylee Lye said.
“My partner did say he heard some screaming and arguments going on but it is quite common for the street, it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
ether leading up to the fire and obviously the time shortly after.
“The information we have at this stage, we strongly believe this fire has been deliberately lit.”
At 11.30pm Saturday detectives, including one carrying a battering ram, turned up at a home close to Mr Johnston’s property.
The officers were heard saying they had a search warrant and to open the door.
A woman answered and yelled “what the f**k are you looking at” before officers went inside.
About an hour later that the young man was arrested in the backyard.
On Friday night officers from south coast Police District attended and found the home well alight.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, which destroyed the home and a nearby vehicle.
State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is assisting in the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.