CCTV footage captured a man in the shadows setting a Noble Park house alight.
Greater Dandenong CIU Senior Constable Blake Gilbert said an arson chemist identified two ignition points at the Buckley Street share house and the arsonist used accelerant.
He struck about 5am on Wednesday 24 January.
“Shortly after a small, dark car is seen to leave the area, which may be connected,” Sen Const Gilbert said.
“As a result of that fire the whole house has been destroyed.
“No one else was present at the time, so there were no injuries.”
He said there’d been a rental dispute between the landlord and tenants “but no real motive to burn the house down”.
Sen Const Gilbert said the investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact Greater Dandenong CIU on 9744 7444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.