Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad believe an unidentified woman might hold the information needed to solve a three-decade-old fatal restaurant fire.
About 5.30am on 17 December 1991, emergency services were called to Efficient Ships on the corner of Toorak Road and MacFarlan Street following reports of a loud explosion and subsequent fire.
Upon extinguishing the blaze, firefighters located the body of Clement David in the kitchen of the premises.
The 22-year-old Hawthorn East man was a Malaysian national living and studying in Australia at the time.
Investigators believe Clement was also friends with the family who owned the café and had been at the premises until 2am on the morning of his death.
No one else was injured during the incident, however the premises sustained significant damage.
An investigation by police and arson chemists at the time determined the fire had been deliberately lit.
Flammable liquid believed to be petrol was soaked into the carpet of the café.
Detectives believe that Clement was involved in starting the fire that led to his death, however it is likely that other people were also involved in the planning of the fire.
A review of the investigation was conducted by Arson and Explosives Squad investigators earlier this year, which led to them pursuing a number of other avenues of enquiry.
Witnesses have reported they heard a woman screaming following the explosion, as well as footsteps of someone running away along MacFarlane Street.
While it is yet to be determined if this is the same person, detectives are now looking at the possibility the woman may have been involved in the incident.
Investigators also located a red Nissan Skyline near the scene and inquiries identified the car to be a rental vehicle used by Clement.
An image of the vehicle has been released in the hope that someone may recognise it and be able provide information about its occupants on the night of the fire.
They are especially keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a woman with the vehicle.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the area on the night of the fire and witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Steve Soden, Arson and Explosives Squad:
"Although almost 30 years have passed, we still believe this is an investigation that can be solved.
"Not only did this fire cause a significant amount of damage to the restaurant, it also took the life of a man and left his family with few answers.
"We know that Clement has almost certainly been involved in lighting the fire, however we have always believed that others were involved.
"After reviewing the case, we've been able to find some avenues of enquiry that we think could progress the case after all this time.
"We believe the woman heard at the scene screaming, the running footsteps heard, and the vehicle could be the missing pieces of the puzzle.
"Investigators are very keen to hear from anyone who knows who this woman was and what her involvement was on the night."
