Police release composite image of man wanted for questioning over fatal Truganina house fire

An image has been released of a man police would like to speak to following a house fire that killed an innocent young woman in Melbourne‘s west earlier this year.

Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother in Truganina when the property was set alight in the early hours of Thursday, January 16.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hunt for Melbourne arsonists

Tangey called triple-0 saying she was trapped inside the home. By the time help arrived, it was too late.

The family’s dog, a golden retriever, also died in the blaze.

Police believe Tangey was the first innocent victim in Melbourne’s ongoing illicit tobacco dispute.

The arson attack is believed to have been targeted but the offenders got the wrong address.

Despite CCTV showing two men getting out of a car, pouring accelerant on the Dover St townhouse and setting it alight, police have not yet made any arrests.

Investigators have now released a digital composite image of a man they wish to speak to.

Police say the image was compiled using enhanced CCTV footage.

The man is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, aged between 25–30 years old with a slim build.

In the image he is wearing an orange hoodie, similar to that worn by a man seen on a Ring camera at the home holding a jerrycan moments before an explosion.

Police will also set up an information caravan on Dover St from 7am on Thursday in the hope someone with information about what happened will come forward.

This includes information about a dark-coloured car — similar to a BMW X3 or X5 — which was captured on CCTV travelling north on Forsyth Rd in Truganina at 2.12am.

The car the two suspects were seen getting out of is believed to be a similar make and model.

Police also want to speak with a person who made an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers with information about the suspects, but provided only pseudonyms or nicknames.

Police have asked that caller to make further contact.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray said Tangey’s death was one of the most “tragic incidents” he had seen in his 38-year career.

“Katie Tangey was 27, she had her whole life ahead of her and the night this occurred she was staying away from home for the first time ever,” he said.

“Katie had just enough time to call triple-0 and she would have spent her final moments on her own, knowing she was going to die.

“It is an unimaginable horror I hope nobody else has to experience.”

Tangey had been housesitting for her brother while he was on his honeymoon.

She was a model and beloved member of the Melbourne burlesque community, performing under the name Vivien May-Royale.

Tangey’s family previously described her as the “heart of our world”.

“Knowing she touched so many lives humbles us in ways words can’t fully express,” they said.

Murray said the suspect names so far provided to police are believed to be informal ‘street names’.

“I would like to thank those who have already provided information to us via Crime Stoppers but, please, we need you to come forward with additional information,” he said.

“We know this is solvable, and we know we are getting closer. We know this because there are people out there who are talking and who are providing information.

“If you know anything — no matter how small — please, make the right choice for Katie and her family.”

Anyone with any information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.