Family still displaced months after arson attack for helping police
A father and two children remain displaced eight months after arsonists torched their Cobden home as revenge for police cooperation.
The family was targeted for providing information about a shooting on their street. A firebug torched the Cobden home on a night the father and two young children were inside.
The family escaped through the back door but the house was fully engulfed. Police say the arson was set deliberately as payback.
"This fire was lit as retribution," Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Asenjo said. The traumatized family has not returned to their home since the attack.
Investigators believe multiple people were involved and have released CCTV footage of a Mazda 3 traveling away from the area just minutes after the fire. The arsonist remains on the run.
- Eight months
- Displacement period
- Five years old
- Youngest child age
- Cobden, Victoria
- Location
- Mazda 3
- Vehicle identified
Why it mattersWitnesses who help police can face serious danger, and this case shows how long families can suffer the consequences of cooperating.
AustraliaThe attack highlights serious risks faced by Victoria witnesses who cooperate with police and raises questions about their protection.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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