Arson probe over $24m Sydney mansion blaze

Police are treating the fire that destroyed a $24m ‘grand home’ on Sydney’s lower north shore on Saturday night as suspicious.

The house in Sydney’s Northwood on Sunday after the blaze. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Police are treating the fire that destroyed a $24m “grand home” on Sydney’s lower north shore on Saturday night as suspicious, with arson investigators at the scene of the heritage-listed Northwood home.

The waterfront home was once owned by Mary Rossi, who in 1956 became the first woman in Australia to have her own television program, A Woman’s World with Mary Rossi.

She died last year at the age of 95.

On Monday, detectives were still on scene interviewing residents and combing through the wreckage, with a Fire and Rescue NSW sniffer dog trained to detect accelerant scouring the property.

Officers had cordoned off an area the width of houses adjacent to the destroyed property, turning away locals on daily walks in the usually quiet neighbourhood.

Fund manager “Owen” Ouyang Chen and his wife, Xiao Hong Li, who own the property next door, had lodged a DA for their property that was rejected by council because, among several issues, it would have an un­acceptable impact on the heritage mansion.

The Australian is not suggesting Mr Chen or his wife are involved in any way with the fire. The Australian was unable to contact Mr Chen, founder of Chinese lender Aoyin and Chinese-backed investment fund A­Capital.

One neighbour said she was startled when hearing what she thought sounded like a party before evacuating her home, just a few doors down, with her dog.

According to title records, the destroyed property is owned by a Yi Fei Chen, understood to be a relative of Mr Chen.

Police said in a statement the fire was being “treated as ­suspicious”.

They are reportedly in possession of CCTV footage showing a person running away from home shortly before emergency services were called to the fire.

Emma Rossi, daughter of Mary Rossi, said “it was a building that had a soul, it was the most welcoming home”.

“It just radiated this warm joy and love,” Ms Rossi said. “It reflected the big family that grew up there, it was a very happy home.”