Authorities report that two individuals made a getaway in a bright orange Holden Commodore, even though one appeared to be engulfed in flames.
Approximately 45 minutes later, emergency responders were summoned to a residence in Fitzroy where they found a man suffering from severe burns.
The 52-year-old man from St Albans was immediately transported to the hospital. Despite receiving medical care over the next five months, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Earlier today, a 44-year-old man from Fitzroy was taken into custody at his residence by police.
He now faces multiple serious charges, including arson resulting in death, arson, criminal damage by fire, and vehicle theft.
The accused was scheduled to make an appearance in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
The dessert bar sustained extensive damage during the incident, as well causing damage to surrounding businesses. Nobody else was inside the shop at the time.
The store had been targeted similarly about six weeks before the deadly blaze, but the fire failed to take hold.
With one man now charged, police are turning their attention to the alleged getaway driver of the Holden Commodore.
A composite image of the alleged driver has been released, with anyone who recognises him urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Vision of a silver Toyota Rav4 has also been released, after it was captured on CCTV driving past the dessert bar several times on the night of the alleged arson attack.
Police are yet to determine the Toyota’s registration, but said it has a “distinctive hard shell covering the spare tyre on the back of the vehicle”.
Anyone who recognises the vehicle or who was in the area on the night and may have dashcam footage is urged to contact police.
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