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A 38-year-old Canberra City man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 31 May 2024) charged with murder and arson in relation to the fatal house fire in Holt last week.
About 2.50am on Wednesday, 22 May 2024, police and ACT Fire & Rescue were called to a house fire at Giltinan Place, Holt.
The fire was extinguished, however the body of a 36-year-old man was located inside the home.
The fire was deemed suspicious, and police commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
This investigation identified the 38-year-old man, who was known to the deceased - police believe the house was set on fire due to a dispute between the men.
Police allege the man purchased accelerant which was used to assist in setting the house on fire.
About 7.30am yesterday (Thursday, 30 May), police executed a search warrant at a Northbourne Avenue residence where the man was arrested. He participated in an interview with police, and was subsequently charged with one count of murder and one count of arson.
Police allege the man should have known that the deceased would have been in the residence at the time of the arson, and therefore the charge of murder is appropriate.