Lake Munmorah: Police renew appeal for information into fatal fire that killed Robyn Hough, 84

Robyn Hough, 84, perished along with her beloved Staffy cross dogs when a fire ripped through her Central Coast home. Nearly six months later police still can’t rule out if it was deliberately lit.

NSW Police have renewed appeals for public information into a deadly house fire on Clarence St, Lake Munmorah, on September 8, 2023, which claimed the life of 84-year-old resident Robyn Hough. It comes as police have gone back to re-examine the crime scene on February 27, 2024. Picture: NSW Police

Police have reopened a crime scene investigation at Lake Munmorah where an elderly woman with mobility issues and her two dogs tragically perished in a deadly house fire.

Tuggerah Lakes detectives have renewed a public appeal for information nearly six months after 84-year-old Robyn Hough died in a fire which tore through her house on Clarence St about 10.20am on Friday, September 8.

Ms Hough’s adult grandson, who lived at the front of the property and was also her full-time carer, could not reach his grandmother because of the intensity of the fire but managed to call triple-0.

Emergency services attended and brought the blaze under control but tragically Ms Hough and her two staffordshire terrier-cross dogs were found deceased inside.

Tuggerah Lakes Commander Superintendent Chad Gillies said despite an extensive investigation under Strike Force Metzler detectives were still unable to rule out if the fire was deliberately lit.

Robyn Hough died in the fire along with her two dogs. It’s not sure if a bird was also lost in the blaze. Picture: NSW Police

“As we stand here today, I cannot rule out that that fire has been deliberately lit and as such we have crime scene (officers) that have returned to the incident scene today and are re-excavating the scene in an effort to further our investigations and shed some more light on to what’s occurred,” Supt Gillies said.

“So in that vein I am seeking assistance from members of the public that may have any information linked to this fire to come forward and contact either Crimestoppers or detectives at Wyong Police Station.”

Superintendent Chad Gillies said police were appealing for information into how the fire started. Picture: NewsCorp: Daily Telegraph/ Gaye Gerard

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NSW Police have gone back to re-examine the crime scene on February 27, 2024. Picture: NSW Police

That could include people that may have been in or around Clarence St, Lake Munmorah, on the morning of the 8th of September, 2023, that may have seen something, whether it be unusual or seen something that took their notice of the morning of the fire.

“Further if we subsequently ascertain that the fire was deliberately lit I would expect somebody out in the community would know something to further our investigation.”

Supt Gillies said police would not be drawn on the details about where the fire broke out on the property or how it started.

However he said Ms Hough’s advanced age may have hindered her ability to escape once the blaze took hold.

Tuggerah Lakes Police are renewing an appeal for public information into a fatal house fire on Clarence St, Lake Munmorah, on September 8, 2023, in which a woman, aged in her 80s, died. Picture: NBN News

“Robyn had a number of health issues and suffered from a lack of mobility which may have contributed to her not being able to exit the house in time,” he said.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.