Detective Senior Constable Glen Fisher from Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit said police wanted to speak to a man and woman who alerted a divvy van to the fire. 

"We would like these people to get in contact with us because we did not get their details," he said. 

Detective Senior Constable Fisher said police had released CCTV images of the people police would like to speak to. 

"There are a further four men who were in the vicinity of the Queens Arms Hotel.

"Two men were in the area at 12.09am.

"We would also like to speak to a man who was near the Queens Arms at 12.30am and another man who was in the area and 12.36am."

Bendigo Police Sergeant Tony Kekich said police had been called to the fire on Gladstone Street about 1.15am. 

"It was treated as suspicious," he said. 

"There was writing on the pavement, on Russell Street, which is about 50 metres away from the house," Sergeant Tony Kekich said. 

Resident Carla Langley fled the home with her two young sons. 

A neighbour opened their home to them for the night. 

"I woke up at 1am and looked out the window and saw the carport and car on fire," she said. 

To view all the CCTV images, go to www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au