Brookvale fire: Hunt for Roger St apartment block arsonists

Detectives have released dramatic footage as they push for information on a deliberate fire that sparked the evacuation of 100 people from a northern beaches unit block.

Dramatic footage has emerged of a trio of hoodie-wearing arsonists torching a high-powered car and motorcycle under a block of Sydney flats.

More than 100 people had to be evacuated from their apartments at Brookvale after choking black smoke swirled up from the locked underground car park.

A still image from CCTV security footage of two people who Northern Beaches detectives want to speak with in relation to an arson attack in the underground car park of a block of units at Brookvale. Picture: NSW Police

Northern Beaches detectives have just released CCTV as part of their investigation into what they described as a non-random or “targeted” attack on the high-performance Holden Commodore on August 17 last year.

A Harley Davidson motorbike parked nearby was also destroyed in the blaze.

Police hope the footage will jolt people’s memories or encourage those who know something about the incident to come forward.

Northern Beaches Police crime manager Michael Boutouridis said the deliberately lit fire could have ended in tragedy, with more than just the motor vehicles being destroyed.

Detective Inspector Boutouridis said three people broke into the locked basement car park in Roger St at about 3.15am.

A still image from CCTV security footage of two people Northern Beaches detectives want to speak with in relation to an arson attack in the underground car park of a block of units at Brookvale. Picture: NSW Police

“It looks like they used a sparkler to ignite the accelerant they poured all over the Commodore.

“This was 100pc a targeted attack. We think it was aimed at a resident of the apartment block.

“The biggest concerns for us is that it happened in the middle of the night. A lot of people were asleep in the safety and comfort of their apartments upstairs.”

Insp. Boutouridis said it was fortunate that the building's sprinklers and fires alarms were in working order.

“It’s fortunate the fire didn’t spread throughout the building.

“It would have been a disaster. People could have been trapped upstairs.

A still image from CCTV security footage of a man Northern Beaches detectives want to speak with in relation to an arson attack in the underground car park of a block of units at Brookvale. Picture: NSW Police

“NSW Fire and rescue put out the fire and we helped evacuate more than 100 people.”

Insp. Boutouridis said officers from Strike Force Gelfius, established to investigate the arson attack, were keen to speak to the people seen in the footage.

The first man is shown wearing a green camouflage hooded jumper, black pants and black ‘Nike’ sneakers.

A second man is shown wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and black shoes while a third man is wearing a black hooded jumper, navy track suit pants, and white sneakers.

Investigators have also released images of a fourth man who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries.

Detective Inspector Michael Boutouridis, Northern Beaches Crime Manager. Picture: Manly Daily

He is described as being of caucasian appearance with a medium build. He is shown wearing a grey and orange ‘Fox’ hooded jumper, grey track suit pants, and a white cap.

Anyone who may have information that can assist should contact detectives at Manly Police Station, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.