Daughter demand justice for her father’s Hải; Call for information after deadly fire in Sunshine North
The daughter of a man killed in a factory fire in Melbourne’s west in February is calling for anyone with information about her father’s death to come forward.
MAIN POINTS
• The daughter of a man killed in a factory fire has urged anyone with information about her father’s death to come forward.
• Victoria Police believe the February 23 fire, which killed two men in Sunshine North, was deliberately lit in a targeted attack.
• Police have released CCTV footage showing a vehicle linked to the fire, and are calling on anyone with information to come forward.
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are appealing for public assistance as part of their investigation into a fatal fire in Sunshine North in February of this year.
Emergency services were called to reports of a panel shop Western Panels on fire on Bunnett Street just after 4am on Friday, 23 February.
Investigators have been told a white dual cab ute pulled up outside the Bunnett Street business at 3.51am, before a male exits the vehicle, emptying the contents of a jerry can on the factory door before igniting it.
He returns to the waiting vehicle as the building goes up in flames, and they flee the scene.
The fire subsequently spread to a building behind the panel shop, a factory on Marshall Street, where two people were sleeping inside at the time.
Tragically, the two men, a 42-year-old and a 48-year-old both from Sunshine North, died at the scene.
Jade, a daughter of one of the men, said her father, named Hải, was living in a converted factory when he died.
“He was under the assumption that it was safe to stay there”, she said.
“He had his challenges but he was a good person”.
Jade said her family was still looking for closure following Hai’s death.
“It was very traumatic, it was very shocking what happened and I think everyone is grieving in their own ways, it’s a lot”, she said.
Detectives believe the initial fire was a targeted attack and are today releasing CCTV of the vehicle involved in the hope someone may recognise it.
The white dual cab ute has a silver tray and is captured on CCTV travelling on Bunnett Street in a northerly direction.
It was later found burnt out on Gisborne Road in Coimadai around 5.20am.
Investigators are urging anyone who recognises the vehicle or who may have been in the area the time and has CCTV or dashcam footage to contact police.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Tracy Johnston, Arson and Explosives Squad:
“This is an incredibly tragic incident – two men innocently sleeping have lost their lives as a result of this reckless and abhorrent criminal behaviour.
“Any arson attack is incredibly concerning for police, and on this occasion, it has had the most devastating of outcomes. There are now two families missing a loved father, brother, son.
“These two men were much loved by their family and friends, all of whom are still grieving their loss and searching for answers as to why this has occurred.
“Now is the time to do the right thing – if you have any information or you recognise this vehicle, please come forward and speak to police so we can hold those responsible to account”. (V/P)
