South Australian police have officially classified a fatal house fire at Woodville Gardens as murder, with investigators believing the blaze was set intentionally to destroy evidence.
The fire, which occurred early Thursday morning on 7 November, claimed the life of a man believed to be 72-year-old Bill Frangos.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire at approximately 4am after a passerby reported seeing flames at the Essex Street property.
Once the fire was extinguished, responders found a body inside, presumed to be that of Frangos, a long-term resident who lived alone.
While formal identification is ongoing due to the complexities of the investigation, Major Crime Acting Operations Inspector Detective Matthew Fitzpatrick stated that police are confident the fire was deliberately lit and that Frangos was murdered.
“Detectives and other specialist police continue to conduct extensive enquiries at Essex Street and the surrounding area,” Inspector Fitzpatrick told the ABC.
“Despite the fire, we have recovered critical evidence from within the house and are receiving excellent cooperation from the community.”
Evidence suggests the fire was ignited using petrol, with a jerry can found alight on the front lawn.
Authorities also noted that items typically used for cultivating cannabis were removed from several premises linked to Frangos, though it remains unclear if drugs played a role in the incident.
Police are keeping an open mind regarding the motive and possible suspects, noting that it may involve individuals known to the victim.
Several persons of interest have been interviewed and subsequently discounted from the investigation.
Police urge anyone with information about Frangos’s recent contacts or with dashcam footage from Essex Street between 6 and 7 November to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
