Woman dead after suspicious fire destroys townhouse on Dover St in Truganina, police suspect case of mistaken identity

A 27-year-old woman believed to be house-sitting for her brother during his honeymoon has been killed in a house fire that police are treating as a ‘targeted attack’ gone wrong.

A young woman believed to be house sitting for her brother has been killed in a Truganina house fire that police are treating as a “targeted attack” gone wrong.

Firefighters rushed to the three-storey townhouse on Dover St about 2.14am on Thursday morning to find it engulfed in flames, allegedly lit by two offenders who quickly fled.

The victim, a 27-year-old Hoppers Crossing woman, was able to call firefighters in the minutes after the initial explosion but died before help could arrive.

Fire crews attempted to conduct an internal search of the home but their efforts were restricted due to the intensity of the blaze.

Police are yet to determine a reason the home was targeted.

A woman has died after a house was deliberately set alight in Truganina. Picture: Supplied

Detectives knocked on doors on Thursday morning to check who lives nearby. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Detective Inspector Chris Murray, of the Arson and Explosives Squad, speaks to the media. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Detective Inspector Chris Murray, of the Arson and Explosives Squad, on Thursday confirmed the victim was house sitting for her brother who is on his honeymoon.

“What I can say is this: this individual is completely innocent and should not have died,” Det Insp. Murray said.

“We have no history on this individual nor the family. In fact, she is the type of girl who doesn’t leave home very much, and it was probably her first time really away and by herself, house sitting for her brother.

“He’s on a honeymoon, and she’s been subjected to the most appalling, despicable act one can imagine.”

Family members of the young woman have been left “utterly devastated” by the tragedy.

Det Insp. Murray said the tragedy did not appear to be linked to the ongoing tobacco wars.

“Today, we have members of the arson explosive squad, detectives and local CI starting to work this investigation, which will be complex,” he said.

“I hope, for the family sake, we can bring this to a conclusion, to give them a sense of comfort. I know the type of individuals that do that, they do it for a few $100 thinking they’re going to burn something down. This was just a matter of time.”

It was unlikely a dog that was inside the home at the time of the blaze had survived.

Emergency service crews at a property on Dover Street. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Emergency service crews at a property. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Det Insp Murray said two alleged offenders parked a small dark colour SUV or hatchback outside the home before they jumped its fence, set the home alight and fled.

“We know two occupants got out of that vehicle. Some accelerant was poured inside the house and subsequently has engulfed the premises,” he explained.

“Whether they meant to damage these premises or just cause a scare tactic… now they are staring at a charge of homicide, of murder.

“We’re looking for two murderers. Let’s be clear about that.”

He could not confirm whether the suspects were harmed in the attack, but asked people to be vigilant of anyone with burns.

“If they’ve gone to a hospital or doctors, if someone’s seen someone come home who’s had a burn, that’s something we’d like to hear about again through Crime Stoppers.

Firefighters confronted an intense blaze. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police believe the fire was a wrongly targeted attack. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Detectives spent Thursday morning knocking on doors to seek out anyone with information.

FRV Commander Callum Donoghue said the fire likely started on the ground floor of the three-storey home and produced “extreme” temperatures that reached well over 200C.

“Inside the dwelling was completely gutted,” the Commander said.

“The access was very difficult for our firefighters, so an external attack was put in place.

“Firefighters are currently assisting the arson squad with photography just to determine the full cause of the fire.

“We’re working with Wyndham Vale City Council in regards to the safety of the property through their building surveyor.”

Firefighters rushed to a three-storey townhouse on Dover St in Truganina about 2.14am to find it engulfed in flame. Picture: ABC News

A female occupant, who has yet to be formally identified, was found dead at the scene. Picture: ABC News

Fatima Dibb, a nearby resident, told the Herald Sun she was in her backyard at about 2am when she heard consecutive bangs.

“It sounded like fireworks,” Ms Dibb said.

She looked outside to see flames high above the townhouse’s ceiling.

“The roof was fully engulfed. It was ferocious.

“It was quite distressing – knowing there might be people in there.”

A statement from Fire Rescue Victoria said two occupants were initially unaccounted for, but police said they do not believe there was a second occupant in the house at the time of the blaze.

Crews worked for more than two hours to bring the fire under control at about 4:30am.

Police and arson chemists will attend the property on Thursday morning to investigate the cause of the fatal blaze, which completely destroyed the home.

A community advice warning has been issued for smoke in the area.

Originally published as Woman dead after suspicious fire destroys townhouse on Dover St in Truganina, police suspect case of mistaken identity