Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information in relation to the fatal fire that killed Katie Tangey in Truganina in January.
Emergency services were initially called to reports of a fire at a residential property on Dover Street about 2.30am on Thursday, January 16.
CCTV captured two people getting out of a dark coloured vehicle, which police say resembles a BMW X3 or X5, that was parked outside the address shortly after 2am.
A significant explosion then occurs and the pair leave the area.
A 27-year-old woman who was inside the house at the time, now known to be Ms Tangey of Hoppers Crossing, then calls triple-0 to say the home was on fire.
Ms Tangey was housesitting the property which belonged to her brother and his wife.
She and the family’s golden retriever, Sonny, died at the scene and the three-storey townhouse was completely destroyed.
The dark coloured vehicle is then captured on CCTV travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at approximately 2.12am.
A ring camera at the Dover Street house also captures the moment the house is engulfed, before two men, one carrying what appears to be a jerry can, flee the scene.
Police have been investigating the motivations of the arson attack for six months and established that they believe it was likely linked to the illicit tobacco dispute in February.
Information received suggests it was a targeted attack but at the wrong address.
Investigators have also established that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade.
In April, investigators released a digital composite image of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the investigation.
The image of the man’s face was compiled using CCTV footage which has been enhanced.
Facing the media on Monday, July 21, Detective Inspector Chris Murray of the Arson and Explosives Squad, said he hoped the reward would encourage people to come forward.
“We just need the names of the two [people] who committed this and leave the rest to us,” he said.
“From my squad’s perspective, it is the most important and prioritised investigation that we have.”
