2 days ago
Home searched over fatal Truganina house fire believed to be linked to illegal tobacco war
Police have searched a home in Melbourne's south-east in relation to a house fire that killed a 27-year-old woman earlier this year.
WARNING: This story contains details that some audience members may find distressing.
Officers say they seized mobile phones from the house in Dandenong, but no arrests were made.
Katie Tangey was house-sitting for her brother at his Truganina home while he was overseas on his honeymoon, when arsonists set the townhouse alight on January 16.
Ms Tangey called triple-0 just after 2am on the night of the fire to say she was trapped inside the burning home.
She was later found dead inside the home.
Ms Tangey is the first person to die in a deliberately lit fire linked to the ongoing turf war involving the state's illicit tobacco trade.
Victoria Police said a "significant investigation has taken place to determine the motivation for the attack and who was responsible".
"We are absolutely determined to provide what closure and justice we can to the family of Katie Tangey," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
"The least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions."
Police believe the arson was linked to the state's tobacco wars, but said the Truganina home had been mistakenly targeted.
An investigation into the fire has been ongoing since January, with an anonymous tip-off leading to the property raid on Thursday.
"We know this is solvable, and we know we are getting closer," Detective Inspector Murray said.
Following a public appeal for information, Victoria Police said an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers provided a pseudonym or nickname.
Police have urged the caller to get back in contact to provide more details.
Previously obtained CCTV footage captured two people getting out of a dark coloured car parked outside the Truganina home.
An explosion can be seen in the footage before the pair leave in the car, believed to be a BMW X3 or X5.
In April, police released an image of a man they believe was connected to the attack.
The man is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, and aged between 25 to 30, with a slim build.
The second person's identity was still unclear.
