NSW Police release more CCTV after suspicious Northwood mansion fire
Police have released more video footage of the moments before a mansion on Sydney’s north shore exploded in flames.
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More CCTV footage revealing the moments before a $24 million mansion on Sydney’s lower north shore was destroyed by fire has been released as police.
Arson Squad detectives have distributed a second round of footage with hopes of obtaining new information about the Northwood home fire that occurred on September 3.
The footage shows a van driving down Cliff Rd moments before a major fireball erupted from inside the mansion – considered one of Sydney’s most expensive homes.
Shortly after, a man exits the premises and runs down the street in the same direction as the van.
CCTV vision shows the vehicle – described as a silver Toyota HiAce Van with roof racks – was seen in the area before and after the blaze.
The unknown man who exited the home was captured running towards the van a short time after the fire took hold, and police said they believe he left the scene in the Toyota.
Just before 11pm on September 3, NSW Fire and Rescue (NSWFR) crews arrived on scene and worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze.
The house was significantly damaged.
No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.
A crime scene was established at the home following the incident and examined by specialist forensic officers, who determined the fire was deliberately lit.
Detectives attached to North Shore Police Area Command conducted initial inquiries, before the State Crime Command Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit took charge of the investigation under Strike Force Lenghwise.
Anyone who may have dashcam vision from vehicles parked or driving on Cliff Rd on the night is urged to contact police.
HOMEOWNERS SEEK REVIEW ON DA DENIAL
The house was unoccupied at the time an unknown assailant started the fire.
The owners of the home, fund manager Ouyang Chen and his wife Xiao Hong Li, had recently applied for Lane Cove Council to review a decision denying them a plan to knock down their home next door and rebuild a colossal concrete and glass house with a swimming pool.
That application was knocked back, partly because of its impact on the heritage listed home that’s now burnt down.
However, the gutted remains of the heritage listed home Mr Chen bought last year won’t affect the council's decision, with a spokesperson saying it would be assessed as if the fire never happened.
The Sydney waterfront mansion was previously owned by television pioneer Mary Rossi until she died at the age of 95 and bought by Mr Chen last year for $24.1 million.
Neighbours said Mr Chen and his wife had not moved in to the house nor did they live at the one they own directly next door, which they purchased in 2007 for $5.6 million.
Police have been in contact with Mr Chen, and there is no suggestion Mr Chen or his wife Xiao Hong Li are persons of interest.
– written with Clementine Cuneo, Josh Hanrahan, William Tyson and Madeleine Bower
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