Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad have today charged a further two men following an arson attack on a Chapel Street business in 2025 which left a man dead.
Search warrants were executed at 6am this morning at residential addresses in Newport and Point Cook.
Two men, a 28-year-old from Newport and a 26-year-old from Point Cook, were taken into custody.
The 28-year-old man has since been charged with arson causing death, two counts of arson - criminal damage with a view to gain, arson - criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endangering life, possess anything to destroy damage or property and theft of motor vehicle.
The 26-year-old was charged with arson causing death, arson - criminal damage with a view to gain, arson - criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endangering life, possess anything to destroy or damage property and theft of motor vehicle.
The duo will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court later today.
A gel blaster, three laptops and a mobile phone were seized from the Point Cook address, whilst seven sim cards, two laptops and two mobile phones were seized from the Newport address.
A search warrant was executed at an Altona North residential address at 5am on Wednesday, 11 March.
A 26-year-old Altona North man was charged with arson causing death, arson - criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endangering Life, theft of motor vehicle and possess anything to destroy or damage property.
He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 11 June.
A 27-year-old Altona North man was released pending further enquiries.
An imitation firearm, stolen number plates, two vials of peptides, a large quantity of illicit tobacco - both cigarettes and looseleaf tobacco, over $10K cash and an Audi RS3 sedan were seized from the address.
A 44-year-old Fitzroy man was arrested on Thursday, 5 March.
He was 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 on 11 June.
The charges follow 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.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
