Detectives from the Homicide Investigation Unit have announced a $500,000 reward upgrade as they launch a fresh public appeal to solve the 34-year-old cold case of a fatal fire that killed five men in Ipswich.
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.
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 fire.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell of the Cold Case Investigation Team said reopening the 1990 suspected arson case includes reviewing forensic evidence to determine if a cause and origin can be established.
She is also 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," Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.
Detectives believe there are two key events that will hopefully jog the memory of members of the public who have information that can assist police.
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," Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.
Witnesses at the time observed a white Holden HQ sedan with a gold roof parked at the rear of the Guest House prior to the fire.
This vehicle was reportedly involved in one of the altercations and then observed by a security officer near the Guest House, where two men were seen running towards the vehicle, away from the direction of the fire.
"We are seeking any persons who have knowledge of this vehicle being present at the crime scene to contact police," Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.
"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.
"Police urge Guest House residents or members of the public who hold such information to contact police."
There were 27 bedrooms in the two-storey Guest House. On the night of the fire, 28 people were residing there, 18 on the upper level and ten on the lower level.
The fire spread quickly throughout the wooden structure, causing residents to flee from the building and jump from windows to escape.
Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch immediately began an investigation, with statements taken from the surviving 23 residents of the Guest House and other witnesses.
A definitive cause of the fire was unable to be determined at the time.
Since that time, further information suggesting that the fire had been deliberately lit was provided to police, resulting in the 2024 review of this investigation.
To date, more than 400 enquiries have been conducted and 70 statements have been 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," Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.
The $500,000 reward is being offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for arson and subsequent murder of these five men.
In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who committed the crime, who first gives such information.
Anyone with information, no matter how small or irrelevant they think it might be, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers nationally on 1800 333 000 or online on the Crime Stoppers website.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
