Police release picture of tobacco war arsonist they believe sparked fatal Truganina house fire

Police have released a picture of a man they believe torched a Truganina home, killing an innocent woman in a botched tobacco war firebombing.

Almost 20 detectives are working “around the clock” to hunt down the arsonists responsible for a botched tobacco firebombing that killed an innocent woman.

Katie Tangey, 27, died while she was house-sitting at her brother’s Dover St home in Truganina when two arsonists allegedly set the townhouse alight.

Ms Tangey managed to call firefighters to the home when it went up in flames about 2.14am, but she became trapped inside and died.

Golden retriever Sunny also perished in the fire.

Police have released a facefit of a man they wish to speak with over the fire.

Taskforce Lunar detectives confirmed last month that the deadly fire was likely linked to the ongoing tobacco wars and was a botched attack at the wrong address.

The 18 detectives assigned to Ms Tangey’s investigation are searching for a Middle Eastern man aged between 25 and 30 years old they believe was one of two offenders at the home when it was torched on January 16.

The image, made using CCTV footage gathered of the blaze, shows a man with a slim build who police believe was wearing an orange or light-coloured hoodie.

The identity of the second man remains a mystery.

Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the fire, which completely destroyed the Dover St property, was one of the most tragic incidents he had seen in his almost four decades of policing.

The gutted Truganina home. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Police believe the deadly blaze is linked to Melbourne’s tobacco wars. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Katie Tangey and a golden retriever died in the blaze. Picture: Nadir Kinani

“Katie had just enough time to call triple-0, and she would have spent her final moments on her own, knowing she was going to die. It is an unimaginable horror I hope nobody else has to experience,” Detective Inspector Murray said.

“We are very, very keen and committed to identify the two lowlifes - and I use that word deliberately, the two low lives, who committed this hideous act.”

Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray says the fire is one of the most tragic incidents he has seen in his almost four decades of policing. Picture: Nadir Kinani

No arrests have been made as police call for potential witnesses to come forward, including an anonymous Crime Stoppers tipster who revealed the potential nickname of one of the arsonists.

Detective Inspector Murray said potential underworld figures who knew those involved could provide a breakthrough in the investigation.

He said investigators were exploring multiple avenues of inquiry, but he did not believe the intended target of the fire, who is understood to live in the Truganina area, remained in danger.

“We know this is solvable, and we know we are getting closer. We know this, because there are people out there who are talking and who are providing information,” he said.

Ms Tangey was house-sitting for her brother when was killed in the blaze. Source: Victoria Police

CCTV footage also captured a dark coloured BMW X3 or X5 travelling north on Forsyth Rd in Truganina moments before the blaze started.

One of the two men was then captured on camera holding a jerry can as the pair fled the scene.

Ms Tangey, who performed burlesque under the stage name Vivien May-Royale, has been remembered as a “beautiful soul”.

The Dover Street home remained fenced off this week, with a single Western Bulldogs scarf tied to the fence in honour of Ms Tangey’s football team.

Investigators returned to scene on Thursday in a bid to uncover fresh leads.

“We’re not going away. This investigation is here to stay. I’m committed to solving this.”

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.