A 29-year-old woman has been formally charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a devastating house fire in Melbourne's south-east that claimed one man's life and left another fighting for his.
Emergency Response to Sunburnt Circuit Blaze
Emergency services rushed to a property on Sunburnt Circuit in Clyde North, approximately 46km from Melbourne's CBD, in the early hours of 18 December. The call, reporting a fire and injured persons, came in at around 1.45am.
Upon arrival, crews discovered a serious situation. Two men, aged 44 and 46, were extracted from the scene with life-threatening injuries. Tragically, the 44-year-old man succumbed to his injuries later that same day. A woman was also hospitalised but with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Police Investigation Leads to Serious Charges
In an update released on Friday, Victoria Police confirmed the arrest and subsequent charging of a female suspect. A 29-year-old woman, who had been receiving treatment in hospital under police guard, was charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Authorities have indicated that the parties involved are known to each other, suggesting the incident was not a random act. The woman has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Other Occupants Escape Physical Harm
Police confirmed that two other individuals were inside the Clyde North property at the time of the fire. A 43-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl were fortunately not physically injured during the incident.
The condition of the second injured man, the 46-year-old, has been reported as stable. He remains in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.
The investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the fatal house fire is ongoing.
