Woman, 28, killed in Truganina house fire in targeted attack on the wrong home

A woman killed in a house fire in Melbourne’s west was the victim of a targeted attack on the wrong property, police say.

The 28-year-old was killed in the blaze on Dover St, Truganina in the early hours of Thursday morning.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Devastating house fire in Melbourne kills a woman

Police say the woman called triple-0 saying she was trapped inside the home.

By the time emergency services arrived it was too late.

It is believed, not long before the woman’s call, two men got out of a dark-coloured vehicle parked outside the address.

Detective inspector Chris Murray said the pair jumped the fence of the property and poured accelerant inside before setting it alight.

An explosion ensued, engulfing the entire property in flames.

The men then jumped back into the car and fled south down Dover St.

Murray said the woman had been housesitting the property for her brother, who was on his honeymoon.

However, neither the woman nor any of her family members have any criminal history — leading police to believe the offenders targeted the wrong address.

Murray called the incident “nothing short of a tragedy” and said a completely innocent person had lost their life.

“My early call is these offenders have targeted the wrong address,” he said.

“This was probably her first time really away and by herself, house-sitting for her brother who is on his honeymoon and she’s been subjected to the most appalling, despicable act one could imagine.

“‘What I would say to the offenders, whether they meant this or not, we are investigating a homicide now.”

Murray said a dog was also inside the home and remains unaccounted for.

“I don’t expect the dog to have survived,” he said.

The woman’s brother has been spoken to as well as the rest of her family, who Murray said are “utterly devastated”.

He slammed criminals who use arson as a way of dealing with problems, saying fire was unpredictable and could have serious and sometimes unintended consequences.

“I keep saying this about the crime of arson, whether they meant to damage this premises or just (use it as a) scare tactic, now (the offenders) are staring at a charge of homicide, of murder,” he said.

Police do have CCTV of the two individuals, who Murray said may have sustained injuries in the explosion.

He said the investigation will be complex, and police would be increasing patrols in the area to help put locals at ease.

“I’m not expecting this to be something that locals should be concerned about,” Murray said.

“We’re looking into everything.”

Police are continuing to canvass the surrounding neighbourhood for CCTV and have urged anyone with any relevant footage, or anyone who saw anything, to come forward.