A WOMAN has been charged with murder following investigations into a fatal house fire in Wagga early last year.
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Strike Force Burro was established soon after the fire on February 25, 2019, that claimed the life of 36-year-old Kylie Green.
Ms Green and another woman were inside the Tichborne Crescent home in Kooringal, and while the other person made it out safely, Ms Green was trapped inside.
It was later determined the fire had been deliberately lit, police said.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 47-year-old woman at a Tolland home about 8am on Thursday, and have since charged her with murder and and destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life.
The woman, Jennifer Louise Hay, was formally refused bail after the matter came before Wagga Local Court on Thursday.
The charges were adjourned to May 27 for mention.
Riverina Police District Inspector Adrian Telfer said the woman is alleged to have known both occupants of the home.
"There was a dispute between the parties, and ultimately that dispute will play out in court," he said.
"They were living together prior to the incident and a fairly significant fallout ensued as well as a retaliation.
"We do allege this was targeted.
"It has been a very labour intensive exercise, and as you can see, sometimes it takes 15 months to get to the point where we believe we can convince the court that this person is responsible for the murder of this individual," he said.
"CCTV was critical to this investigation but was also assisted by appealing to the public, speaking to a number of residents and also engaging a number of experts who assisted the investigation."
Police allege the 47-year-old lit a lounge on fire that was in the front of the property, which spread to the home and led to the death of Ms Green. She is also facing a charge of damage property with intent to endanger life.
"We are also referring another allegation to the court that on February 25, this individual lit a fire which endangered the life of another person who was also in that house at that time and that is also a very serious offence," Inspector Telfer said.
She was refused bail and is due to face Wagga Local Court today.
"We hope today this brings some sort of conclusion for the victim's family," Inspector Telfer said.
"It's not the end though, in many respects this is just the beginning as it plays out in court."