TasNetworks contractor blamed for 6ha Broadmarsh fire after gelignite explosion
A full inquiry must be held after a TasNetworks contractor felling live powerlines sparked a bushfire, Labor says as the state’s fire service issues a reminder not to use explosives in the open air on total fire ban days. LATEST >>
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UPDATE, 12.40PM:
The government must hold a full inquiry into the ignition of a bushfire by a TasNetworks contractor felling live powerlines, Labor says.
The state’s fire service on Wednesday reminded people not to use explosives in the open air on total fire ban days.
Monday’s blaze, which burned through hectares of bush at Broadmarsh, was caused when a TasNetworks contractor dropped a live power line with explosives during a total fire ban.
The six-hectare fire near Andersons Rd was reported at 2.40pm on Monday as parts of the state faced severe or very high fire danger and temperatures of up to 37C.
Tasmania Fire Service Acting Deputy Regional Chief South Phil Smith said an investigation into the fire had confirmed the cause.
“Electrical contractors replacing a condemned power pole used a small amount of explosives underground to excavate a rock near the pole in preparation for a replacement pole,” he said.
“The explosives were underground and not in contravention of the Total Fire Ban restrictions in place in Southern Tasmania at the time.
“The cause of the fire was determined to be the fallen power pole which created sparks on impact, not the use of explosives.
“TFS reminds people that on Total Fire Ban days, no ignition – including explosives – should be used in open air.”
Labor’s David O’Byrne said the public needed to be reassured that they were not being placed at greater risk.
“The circumstances that led to the fire ignition at Broadmarsh on Monday beggars belief,” he said.
“On a day that the Tasmanian Fire Service declared a total fire ban, a day that peaked at 37 and a half degrees, you had a contractor for TasNetworks using explosives in an outrageously reckless act … which could have had significant and catastrophic circumstances for not only that community but any other community that may have faced a fire ignition,” he said.
“The government needs to come out and assure Tasmanians that they’re taking appropriate steps to ensure that this does not happen again, lives are at risk, property is at risk because of reckless actions of contractors under the name of a government business enterprise.
“TasNetworks can contract out the work, but they can’t contract out the responsibility.
“This is work that they have traditionally done over many years and for them to contract this work out – privatises this work to private contractors – and then not take responsibility for their decisions is a disgrace if they say safety is their highest priority.”
6PM TUESDAY, JAN 12:
A FIRE which burned through hectares of bush at Broadmarsh on Monday was caused when a TasNetworks contractor felled a live power line with explosives during a total fire ban.
The six-hectare fire near Andersons Rd was reported at 2.40pm on Monday as parts of the state faced severe or very high fire danger and temperatures of up to 37C.
Crews battled high winds to bring the fire under control, using helicopters and planes to dump water.
Local residents are demanding answers about why explosives were being used in the open on a day when a total fire ban was in place.
“There are a lot of angry people up here demanding answers and they want TasNetworks to come here and explain themselves,” a local resident said.
“Workplace Safety should be involved too to find out exactly what happened.
“A lot of people are still getting over the trauma of fires last year.
“To use gelignite while there is a total fire ban in place is totally reckless.
“That fire only had to go over one hill to reach the township and it’s just lucky it was brought under control so quickly.
“This place is a tinderbox every summer.”
TasNetworks said “a contractor working on our behalf was excavating rock at Broadmarsh, to replace a condemned power pole.
“During that work, it appears the foundation of a power pole was disturbed.
“The power lines came into contact with trees and ignited a small vegetation fire.
“TFS was alerted immediately, and is investigating. We’re assisting that investigation.”
Work practices such as grinding, welding and cutting metal in the open are not permitted during total fire ban days.
Using explosives is not specifically mentioned on the Tasmania Fire Service website.
TasNetworks Head of Network Operations Jason King said the company was co-operating with the investigation into the fire.
“Safety is our top priority. We take extra measures and restrict our activities during Total Fire Bans.
“We’re supporting the TFS investigation into Monday’s incident at Broadmarsh, and take it very seriously.”
Comment was sought from the Tasmania Fire Service.
Originally published as TasNetworks contractor blamed for 6ha Broadmarsh fire after gelignite explosion
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