The Northern Territory Police investigation into the fatal house fire in Leanyer has determined that it is unlikely the circumstances were suspicious.
Expert fire investigators believe the fire started inside the house and there was no evidence of accelerants. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
The fire which occurred at approximately 2.40am on Thursday 20 January 2011 at 24 Murrabibbi Street in Leanyer, resulted in the death of Frank Scannella and caused serious injuries to his wife, Jennifer Scannella.
As a result of the fatality, Major Crime Detectives commenced an investigation. All fires are treated as suspicious unless determined otherwise.
This investigation explored many avenues of inquiry including forensic examination and analysis, the use of fire investigation experts and the interviewing of persons of interest and other witnesses. Taskforce Trident was dedicated to the investigation.
The taskforce commissioned the services of two independent expert Fire Investigators from the Victoria Police and the Queensland Police Service. In addition, the Western Australian Government's 'Chemistry Centre of WA' provided specialist forensic analysis of material.
Commander Crime and Specialist Support Peter Bravos said the reports from fire investigation experts are reassuring,
"Significant resources were committed to this investigation on the basis that all fires involving a fatality are treated as suspicious.
"There is no relationship to the deliberately lit fire which resulted in the death of eight year old Nicholas Middis in the same suburb.
"However, on review of all of the evidence available including the expert fire investigation reports, the fire at 24 Murrabibbi Street in which Mr Scannella lost his life, may in fact, be a tragic accident.
"Police are unable to rule out completely that this fire wasn't deliberately lit, but the inference from experts that it started inside the house with no evidence of accelerants makes it very unlikely.
"The youths who were seen in the area around the time of the fire have been interviewed by Police and are no longer persons of interest.
"Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Leanyer community for their vigilance and assistance throughout this investigation." Commander Bravos concluded.
Police are currently preparing a comprehensive report for the Coroner to determine the circumstances and the cause of death.
Media Contact
Katie Fowden
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