Newtown fire deaths: Police speak with owner of burnt boarding house

Homicide detectives and Raptor Squad police have searched the Sylvania home of Albert Wong, owner of the Newtown boarding house where three people died.

Homicide detectives backed by officers from Raptor Squad have spoken to the owner of the Newtown boarding house over 36 hours after it went up in flames and three people died.

They seized documents and electronic devices from the Sylvania house of Albert Wong, whose company A&J Wong Holdings Pty Ltd owns the property in Probert Street.

There is no suggestion that the 71-year-old Malaysian businessman had anything to do with the fire which destroyed the house in the early hours of Tuesday and he has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Days after the fatal boarding house fire in Albermarle St Newtown, police and fire investigators are still sifting through the rubble looking for victims. Picture: John Grainger

One of the occupants, Richard Hotoran, 45, has been charged with three counts of murder and arson and remanded in custody.

Police with Strike Force Tutt had not spoken to Mr Wong until they visited his house at 6.45pm on Wednesday.

He has owned the 14-bedroom boarding house since 2011 when he bought it for $800,000. It had a current fire compliance certificate, Inner West Council told The Daily Telegraph.

“About 6.45pm (Wednesday 16 March 2022), Homicide Squad investigators – assisted by officers attached to Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant at a Sylvania address,” police said in a statement.
“During a subsequent search, police seized documentation and electronic devices for forensic examination.
“Investigations under Strike Force Tutt continue.”