Sydney: A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Australia after he allegedly set his father on fire in a violent attack that left the older man dead outside their home in Sydney’s western suburbs in the early hours of Thursday.
According to police, emergency services rushed to a property on Wargon Crescent in Glenmore Park at around 12.50 am local time after neighbours reported a fire breaking out along with loud disturbances. When officers reached the spot, they found the body of a man, believed to be in his 60s, lying in the driveway of the house, which was partially engulfed in flames. The victim had suffered multiple injuries, including severe burns.
Fire and Rescue NSW teams brought the blaze under control, following which detectives cordoned off the area as a crime scene. Forensic officers spent the day combing through the property and its surroundings to piece together what exactly happened.
Nepean Police Area Commander Superintendent Trent King told reporters that the victim’s identity is yet to be formally confirmed, and a post-mortem examination will determine the exact cause of death.
No History Of Domestic Violence, Say Police
Police allege that the victim’s own son — who is known to law enforcement — was behind the deadly attack. However, Superintendent King said investigators had found no prior record of domestic violence between the father and son.
“These people appear to be related. However, there’s no history of domestic violence between the two parties,” Superintendent King said.
Police said the father lived at the Glenmore Park house, while his son resided at a separate address.
How The Incident Allegedly Unfolded
Investigators believe the accused forced his way into the house by breaking down the front door. This was allegedly followed by an altercation, after which an accelerant was used to set the house on fire. Police also suspect that a blue Holden Commodore parked outside the property was deliberately torched, with the fire eventually spreading to the house itself.
Nearly six hours after the incident, around 6.45 am, police tracked down the 36-year-old accused sitting inside a vehicle at a sports complex on Parkes Avenue in the nearby suburb of Werrington. He was arrested without any resistance and given first aid by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries, before being taken to Nepean Hospital under police guard. He was later questioned by detectives.
Describing the crime scene as “distressing,” Superintendent King said police would not speculate on the precise cause of death until forensic reports come in.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have joined Nepean Police in the investigation, and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.
Police have appealed to residents who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the Glenmore Park area in the early hours of Thursday, or who have CCTV or dashcam footage, to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers as the probe continues.
