A $500,000 reward is being offered in relation to fatal fire in Ipswich 34 years ago, which killed five men.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said a fresh public appeal had been launched as part of the reopening of the cold case.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said police would take a fresh look at the suspected arson case, including reviewing forensic evidence to determine if a cause and origin of the fire could be established.
She said at approximately 3am on Saturday, December 29, 1990, the Oakdale Guest House, a Queenslander-style residential boarding house at 5 Milford Street, was destroyed because of an intense fire.
The QPS said 59-year-old Desmond Bemi, 64-year-old Trevor Ganter, 41-year-old Salvatore Tusa, 80-year-old Edward Boyne and 68-year-old Eldred Glode died as a result of the suspicious blaze.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said police were appealing for further witness accounts to assist with their investigation.
“With public assistance, irrespective of the passage of time, this crime can be solved, offenders can be brought to justice and we can provide some answers to the family and friends of these five men and to the Ipswich community,” she said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said there were two key events that would hopefully jog people’s memories.
“Investigations indicate that a number of altercations occurred at the Oakdale Guest House on the evening of December 28, 1990, whereby men who did not reside there became involved in physical altercations with residents.
“It is alleged that one of the altercations stemmed from the theft of a packet of cigarettes from a resident’s room.
“We are seeking any persons who may have been directly involved or have knowledge of the physical altercations at the Oakdale Guest House that evening,” she said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said witnesses at the time saw a white Holden HQ sedan with a gold roof parked at the rear of the Guest House prior to the fire.
She said a security officer near the Guest House saw two men running towards the vehicle, away from the fire.
“We are seeking any persons who have knowledge of this vehicle being present at the crime scene to contact police.
“Although this offence occurred 34 years ago, Detectives believe there are still people out there who hold information crucial to this ongoing criminal investigation who have not come forward or have previously provided police an untrue account of events.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said, to date, more than 400 enquiries had been conducted and 70 statements obtained.
“It is the intention of investigators to reinterview all identified witnesses and previously identified persons of interest, but public assistance is required to progress this investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
