Roland Griffiths fire: Husband accused of wife Kylie’s Albanvale murder

A man accused of murdering his wife after allegedly setting fire to the family home asked his severely injured spouse why she didn’t stop him, a court has heard.

Roland and Kylie Griffiths on their wedding day in 2021. Picture: Supplied

A husband accused of killing his wife in a house fire previously threatened to burn their home down, a court has heard.

Roland Griffiths, 38, was charged with murder after allegedly setting fire to his family home in Albanvale in Melbourne’s west, killing his wife Kylie, 36, and seriously injuring his teenage stepdaughter in March last year.

A neighbour told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday he believed Mr Griffiths was a big drinker and he had heard him threaten to light his house on fire about six months before the fatal blaze.

“It was to the world, he was in the backyard yelling it,” the neighbour said.

“He said he’s not afraid to burn the house, (and) he doesn’t care whose house gets burnt.”

In his police statement, the neighbour said he had a “difficult” relationship with Mr Griffiths

who threatened and stared at him after he complained to the Victorian Department of Housing.

“He knows that we made the call,” the man said.

On the day of the fire, the neighbour said he heard a loud bang next door and believed it to be Mr Griffiths’ barbecue.

As the blaze took hold, he ran outside and helped Ms Griffiths’ children over a locked gate before hosing down their mother who had severe burns.

The neighbour told police he heard Mr Griffiths say to his wife “don’t say anything”.

Earlier in the hearing, firefighter Chris Watson, who was among the first to arrive at the scene, said he provided Ms Griffiths with bottled oxygen as she sat on the nature strip.

Mr Watson said he saw Mr Griffiths, who had burns on his back and was screaming in pain nearby, yell to his wife: “Why didn’t you stop me” and “You should’ve stopped me”.

Ms Griffiths died from her injuries two days later but Mr Griffiths and his then 16-year-old stepdaughter survived, as did six other siblings inside at the time.

Another first responder, Constable Dylan Grenfell said he spoke to Ms Griffiths and her children with one of them telling him: “He (Mr Griffiths) tried to light himself on fire, I tried to stop him and then I caught on fire.”

Constable Brett Seychell also attended the blaze, telling the court he saw three burn victims outside the home including Mr Griffiths, his wife and his stepdaughter.

The police officer said Mr Griffiths was waving his arms around and yelling and police had to stop him from leaving the scene.

While the mother received treatment for her injuries, Constable Seychell said Mr Griffiths apologised and “expressed” his love for her.

Constable Seychell added Mr Griffiths told his stepdaughter the fire was not “supposed to get you”.

The police officer said he could not say if Mr Griffiths was under the influence of drugs at the time but the accused arsonist told police he had epilepsy before going into a seizure.

He was transferred to hospital where he spent two months under police guard before he was charged with murder.

Appearing via video link from Melbourne Remand Centre, Mr Griffiths showed little emotion during the hearing.

The committal hearing, which is expected to run for three days, will continue on Tuesday.