Man in court charged with murder and arson over fatal Canberra house fire
A Canberra man has indicated he will plead not guilty to murder and arson following a fatal house fire in the suburb of Holt last week.
Atem Marol Deng, 38, appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with one count of murder and another of arson.
Kot Ador Deng, also known as Bol Adong Deng, died after the Holt townhouse he was living in was allegedly set alight last week.
Although they have the same last name, the men were not related to each other, police said.
Mr Marol Deng did not apply for bail and will next appear in court in August.
Loading...Mr Ador Deng's family say they are seeking justice for their loved one.
One of his brothers, Akech Deng, said he was a "loving, caring" person who was very community-minded.
"It's a very terrible situation for our family, we cannot believe we lost him that way," he said.
"Such acts in the community, it's not acceptable. We need justice for Bol."
Another of his brothers, Kondor Deng, said the family was glad charges had been laid in the matter.
"[Mr Marol Deng] went to court this morning, so we have a breath now and we put it in the hand of justice," he said.
Kondor Deng also said Mr Ador Deng meant the world to his family, and left behind eight children.
"He used to be in the church, 24 hours, Sunday teaching, and also was part-time studying [at] uni, and at the same time he's working as a builder [in] construction, supporting his beautiful kids — eight kids," he said.
Police said the remains of Kot Ador Deng (left) were discovered by firefighters at the scene. (Supplied)
Earlier, police revealed at a press conference that Mr Ador Deng had been identified as the person whose remains were discovered by firefighters at the scene of the fire on May 22.
Detective Acting Superintendent Stephen Ladd said officers investigating the fire had searched a house in the suburb of Turner yesterday as part of their investigations.
"As a result of that, a 38-year-old male was taken into custody and after helping police with their inquiries he was charged with arson and murder,'' Acting Superintendent Stephen Ladd said.
"Police will allege that after a dispute between the men that has been ongoing over the past few weeks, the gentleman that’s been charged went to the residence and set the fire deliberately.''
He said the men were known to each other.
"We do know they were known to each other. They weren't related but are part of the same community,'' Superintendent Ladd said.
Police will allege petrol was used to accelerate the fire and said they believed Mr Ador Deng died from asphyxiation or smoke inhalation.
Superintendent Ladd said Mr Ador Deng had lived in the house for several years and had recently been away for a few weeks.
The house was extensively damaged in the fire and Superintendent Ladd said it was unlikely to be inhabitable again.
Emergency services were called to the house fire in the early hours of Wednesday May 22. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)