A 44-year-old man stands accused of murder following a devastating arson attack that destroyed a Melbourne dessert establishment and claimed a man’s life five months after the incident. Scott Mathieson faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday evening charged with arson causing death, reckless conduct endangering life, and motor vehicle theft.
The case stems from a catastrophic fire that engulfed The Golden Lounge Dessert and Juice Bar in Prahran during the early hours of January 15, 2025. Police allege that two individuals forcibly entered the Chapel Street premises, doused the interior with accelerant, and intentionally ignited the blaze. Security footage captured the moment a tremendous fireball erupted from the storefront at approximately 4:15 AM, nearly consuming a passing vehicle.
According to investigative reports, one of the alleged perpetrators caught fire during their escape from the scene. The suspects fled in a stolen orange Holden Commodore sedan. Emergency services discovered a severely burned man in Fitzroy forty-five minutes after the incident. The victim, identified as 52-year-old St Albans resident David Gaddie, was transported to a medical facility but succumbed to his extensive injuries on June 6.
Victoria Police’s Arson and Explosives Squad executed Mathieson’s arrest following a comprehensive year-long investigation. Authorities have simultaneously released computer-generated images depicting both a potential accomplice believed to have driven the getaway vehicle and a silver Toyota RAV4 observed circling the area proximate to the fire’s ignition.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray issued a compelling public statement emphasizing the disregard for human safety exhibited by those commissioning arson attacks. “Those people who are paying others an absolute pittance to light these fires have zero concern for their safety,” Murray stated. “Your life is worth more than a couple of hundred dollars.”
Mathieson did not submit a bail application during Thursday’s proceedings and remains in custody pending his next court appearance scheduled for June 11. Investigators continue to seek additional information regarding the incident and those potentially responsible for the tragic loss of life.