- Published:
- Thursday 5 March 2026 at 10:01 am
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are today releasing images and CCTV and appealing for public information following an arson attack on a Chapel Street business in 2025 which left a man dead.
A 44-year-old Fitzroy man was arrested at his home address this morning.
He will now be interviewed by detectives in relation to the offence of arson causing death.
The arrest follows an incident where emergency services were called to a fire at a Chapel Street store shortly after 4.15am on 15 January, 2025.
The store had been previously targeted on 6 December, though the fire failed to take hold.
Witnesses told police two men had poured accelerant inside the premises before setting it alight.
The store sustained extensive damage during the incident, as well causing damage to surrounding businesses. Nobody else was inside the premises at the time.
The duo then fled the address in a waiting orange Holden Commodore, with one of the group visibly on fire.
The Commodore was later located dumped on Birdwood Avenue in South Yarra.
Emergency services were subsequently called to an address in Fitzroy just before 5am to reports of a man with significant burns to his body.
A 52-year-old St Albans man was conveyed to hospital where he received medical treatment for the next five months.
The man passed away in hospital on Friday, 6 June as a result of the injuries sustained during the arson attack.
Detectives are today releasing a digital composite image of a man believed to have been driving the Commodore on the night of the incident.
Anyone who recognises the man is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Police are also releasing vision of a silver Toyota Rav4 which is captured on CCTV driving past the offence location a number of times on the night.
It is first captured driving south along Chapel Street at 3.15am, then north at 3.16am.
It is again captured travelling south and then north at 4.07am.
It is captured a third time driving south at 4.12am and north at 4.14am, before the fire then occurs at 4.15am.
Enquiries are still underway to determine the registration of the vehicle, though it has a distinctive hard shell covering the spare tyre on the back of the vehicle.
Investigators are urging anyone who recognises the vehicle or who was in the area on the night and who may have dash cam footage to contact police.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with further information or who recognises the man in the image or the silver Toyota Rav4 is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad:
“The injuries this man sustained and the prolonged suffering he endured were nothing short of catastrophic. This is an incredibly sad outcome for his family.
“Let me be very clear: those people who are paying others an absolute pittance to light these fires have zero concern for their safety. They do not care one single bit.
“Your life is worth more than a couple of hundred dollars. The freedom to live and enjoy your life rather than spending it managing significant ongoing injuries is worth more than a few hundred dollars.
“Fire is absolutely uncontrollable and unpredictable, and those involved in this reckless offending are not
giving this enough consideration.
“We know there are more people out there with information about this fire, and ultimately who is responsible for this loss of life. I would implore them to come and speak to us before we come to you.”
Media Unit
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