Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad have this afternoon charged a man 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 has since been charged with arson causing death, arson - criminal damage by fire, possess anything with intent to destroy or damage property, reckless conduct endangering life and theft of motor vehicle.
The man will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court later today.
Today's activity follows an incident where emergency services were called to a fire at a Chapel Street store shortly after 4.15am on 15 January, 2025.
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 today released 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 also released vision of a silver Toyota Rav4 which is captured on CCTV driving past the offence location a number of times on the night.
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.
The store had been previously targeted on 6 December, though the fire failed to take hold.
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
