Tragic twist of fate emerges after an ‘innocent’ young woman was killed in a ‘deliberately lit’ townhouse fire – as her heartbreaking final words are revealed

A woman who was house-sitting while her brother was on honeymoon was burned alive by arsonists who attacked the wrong target, police believe. 

The 27-year-old woman, who was the sole occupant, rang triple-0 shortly after 2am on Thursday and desperately told them she was trapped in the burning house in Dover St in Truganina, west Melbourne, and could not escape.

Firefighters arrived at about 2.14am where they found the three-storey townhouse engulfed in flames. 

Such was the intensity of the blaze that fire crews were unable to quell the flames until 4.30am when a search of the property was made and the woman’s body was found.

The victim is yet to be formally identified and it also believed a family pet perished in the blaze. 

Detective Inspector Chris Murray, of the Arson and Explosives Squad, confirmed on Thursday the woman was looking after the house 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 told the Herald Sun.

‘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.

Firefighters were unable to save the life of a 27-year-old trapped in the townhouse in west Melbourne in the early hours of Thursday

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

Det Insp Murray said police did not believe the attack was linked to the ongoing tobacco wars, which have seen over 100 arson incidents in Victoria.

However, the random nature of the attack led police to believe it might have been a mistake.  

‘We’re stuck. The premises and the family and the individual lead us nowhere. Therefore, the only logical conclusion I can draw is they’ve got the wrong premises,’ Det Insp Murray said.

‘There seems to be a fascination with the use of fire to solve crime, solve beef, solve acts of revenge. These are the consequences we’re seeing, and they’re serious consequences. This girl did not deserve to lose her life.’

CCTV footage from a nearby property capture two suspected arsonists parking outside the home

CCTV footage from a nearby property showed two alleged offenders parking a small dark colour SUV or hatchback outside the home at around 2.03am before they jumped its fence.

They were seen getting back in the car and speeding away at around 2.10am with flames erupting from the house. 

‘We know two occupants got out of that vehicle. Some accelerant was poured inside the house and subsequently has engulfed the premises,’ Det Insp Murray told the Herald Sun.

‘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.

‘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.’  

Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Callum Donoghue said the fire likely started on the ground floor of home and escalated to ‘extreme’ temperatures that reached well over 200C.

With the fire creating temperatures estimated to have reached 200C the building was left a gutted wreck

Arson police have begun investigating the cause of the fire, and set up a crime scene at the town house

‘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.

‘There was loud bang noise around 2.15am and within minutes whole house was on fire,’ he said. 

A nearby resident told the Herald Sun she was in her backyard about 2am when she heard loud, consecutive bangs. 

‘It sounded like fireworks,’ she said. 

The resident claimed she could see flames rising high above the town house’s roof.

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

A Truganina man told Daily Mail Australia he recalled hearing a loud noise after midnight.

‘The roof was fully engulfed. It was ferocious.’

‘It was quite distressing – knowing there might be people in there.’ 

A community advice warning was issued for smoke in the immediate area. 

Police have appealed for anybody with information to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers. 

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk