The families of two men who died in panel shop fire are pleading for answers over the arson attack that claimed their loved ones as they slept.
The culprit started the blaze at the shop in Melbourne’s west in the early hours of February 23, which then spread to a nearby factory where the two men were sleeping, Victoria Police said.
The Sunshine North men, 42 and 48, died at the factory.
Police believe the initial attack on the panel shop was a targeted incident and have released footage of a white dual cab ute with a silver tray used in the incident.
The car pulled up outside the business before a man jumped out, emptied the contents of a jerry can on the floor, set it alight and fled.
The ute was later found burnt out about 50km away in Coimadai.
On Friday, detectives released images and footage of the car as they appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
It is time to hold those responsible to account, Detective Acting Inspector Tracy Johnston said.
She said the two men were much loved by their grieving families, who are still searching for answers more than four months on from their deaths.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident – two men innocently sleeping have lost their lives as a result of this reckless and abhorrent criminal behaviour,” she said.
“Any arson attack is incredibly concerning for police, and on this occasion, it has had the most devastating of outcomes.
“There are now two families missing a loved father, brother, son.”
Anyone who was in the area at the time or has relevant dashcam footage has also been asked to contact investigators.
