A 29-year-old woman has been charged with murder following a horrific house fire in Melbourne's south-east that left one man dead and two others critically injured.
Horrific Details of the Clyde North Blaze
Jessica Cruz-Guzman is accused of pouring a flammable liquid over a man and setting him alight at a home in Clyde North on December 18. The house erupted in flames in the early hours of the morning.
The fire claimed the life of 44-year-old Stuart Blair, who succumbed to his injuries later that day. A second man, 46-year-old Michael Slater, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries and remains in a stable condition.
Others Escape as Property Destroyed
Two other people were inside the property at the time of the blaze. An 11-year-old girl and a 43-year-old woman both managed to escape the inferno. Another person was also taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Among the seven other charges laid against Cruz-Guzman is property destruction that endangered the lives of others. The accused woman was also injured in the fire and was taken to hospital under police guard.
Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation
Detectives formally charged Cruz-Guzman on Friday, and she faced court on Saturday. Police believe she knew her victims, with witnesses reporting the incident began with a fight on the street.
The 29-year-old will remain in custody ahead of her next court hearing, scheduled for May. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the deadly fire continues.
