Tasmania breaking news: TFS investigating cause of Ashley Youth Detention Centre fire
Investigations into the cause of a fire at Ashley Youth Detention Centre are underway. What fireys saw >
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Investigations into Ashley Youth Detention Centre fire underway
Updated – 3.12pm: Investigations into the cause of a fire at Ashley Youth Detention Centre are underway.
Tasmania Fire Service in a statement said after being called to the centre just before midday on Sunday, crews found a minor fire in one of the wings of the centre.
The fire was quickly extinguished.
Fire investigators are conducting an examination to determine its cause.
Initial – Sunday, June 18 – 12.10pm: Tasmania Fire Service crews are working to put out several fires at Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Crews were called to a structure fire at 4260 Meander Valley Rd, Deloraine.
When they arrived they found the lounge area and other areas to be on fire.
Crews are currently working to extinguish the blaze.
More to come.
One critical after Longford crash
Sunday, June 18 – 9am: Police are investigating the cause of a crash which left one person in a critical condition.
Tasmania Police including Police Crash Investigation services are on the scene of the single vehicle rollover, which happened on Illawarra Rd at Longford at about 4.45am on Sunday morning.
They are expected to remain on site for several hours.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area, or anticipate delays until the investigation is completed.
In a statement, Tasmania Police said several people were taken to hospital after the crash, but did not specify the exact number.
One person is reported to be in a critical condition.
Teen arrested after axe attack on Woolies staff
Sunday, June 18 – 8.50am: A teenager has been charged after allegedly striking a Woolworths employee with an axe during a late-night robbery.
At 10.20pm on Saturday night, the 15-year-old approached the loading area of the Woolworths at Claremont, where staff were doing nightfill.
The teen then struck one staff member with a small axe and threatened a second employee.
Police allege the teen then pulled a trolley holding various drinks out of the loading bay and stole several cartons from it before damaging a parked vehicle while leaving.
Two other youths were present, but did not enter the store and ran away during the incident.
The teenager was found a short time later and arrested.
They have since been charged with aggravated armed robbery.
Tasmania Police in a statement said the injured staff member was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone who may have witnessed the event or may have information is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Investigation into church hall blaze begins
Updated – June 17, 10:52pm:
Police are investigating the cause of a fire which destroyed the hall at the rear of a church near Launceston.
At 6pm on Saturday, Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service attended the structure fire at St Andrews Church on High St, Evandale.
A hall at the rear of the property was found to be completely engulfed by fire.
TFS worked to put out the fire but the hall was completely destroyed.
Nobody was inside the building at the time of the fire.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Initial – June 17: Fireys are working to protect an Evandale church after a blaze tore through a small building beside the structure.
Crews from Evandale, Launceston, Perth and Longford are on the scene at Uniting Church on High St, Evandale where a structure was first reported to be “going well” with fire.
A small building beside the main church was found to be fully involved in fire and crews are now working to protect the main St Andrews Church.
High St will be closed in front of the church for a short time for fireys to access the site.
Winds push back Dark Mofo event’s opening time
Update, 4.30pm: Police have reopened Liverpool St after strong winds dislodged a piece of metal from the Myer building.
But the weather has forced a popular Dark Mofo event to push back their opening time.
In a social media post, Dark Mofo confirmed the popular Winter Feast event would open from 5pm.
“Due to high winds, Winter Feast will open from 5pm,” the post read.
The event usually begins at 4pm.
Initial: High winds have forced Tasmania Police to close parts of a busy Hobart CBD street after a retail building’s exterior flashing became dislodged due to the gale.
Liverpool St between Criterion and Murray St has been closed.
Some exterior flashing on the Myer building has dislodged and some more is unstable.
Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area.
If shoppers need to access the Myer and Icon complex, they are asked to do so via the alternate entrances.
Oven fire erupts at burger restaurant
Tasmania Fire Service were called to tackle a kitchen fire at a Bellerive burger restaurant.
Fireys raced to Belles Burgers at 12 Cambridge Rd, Bellerive this afternoon where they found an oven on fire.
The fire was quickly extinguished.
In a statement, TFS said the cause of the fire was deemed accidental.
They said it was estimated to have caused $5000 in damages.
A spokesman for the business said the incident was minor and that the restaurant will remain open and running for customers.
‘Significant delays’: One injured, crash blocks part of busy highway
Update, 1.55pm: A crash at the intersection of the Brooker and Tasman Highways has now been cleared.
Traffic is flowing again after the earlier multiple-vehicle crash.
A woman in her fifties was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Initial: A person involved in a multiple vehicle crash blocking a major Hobart road has been injured, as police work to clear the scene.
Tasmania police are currently on the scene of the crash, which happened at the intersection of the Brooker Highway and Tasman Highways.
Traffic is reportedly blocked from the Brooker Highway, turning onto the Tasman Highway towards the bridge.
Traffic is being diverted.
Emergency services are working to clear the crash.
Tasmania Police in a statement said “significant delays” were expected while the scene was being cleared.
Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.
One person involved in the crash is said to have sustained minor injuries.
‘Disappointed’: 30+ naughty drivers nabbed
Saturday June 17: A traffic operation in the state’s north captured more than 30 people flaunting road rules, with police sharing their disappointment after nabbing so many drivers.
The operation, which took place in Launceston on Friday, was set up by Tasmania Police to target inattentive drivers.
Covert patrols of the Launceston CBD captured 30 drivers using their mobile phones while driving.
A further six other traffic related offences were detected, as well as two instances of drivers caught failing to comply with traffic lights and one driver who was spotted not wearing a seat belt.
Drivers caught using a mobile phone while driving face a $362 fine and three demerit points.
Acting Inspector Stuart Greenwood said it was disappointing to see so many motorists using their phones while behind the wheel.
“Distraction is one of the fatal five contributors to serious and fatal crashes,” Inspector Greenwood said.
“A distracted driver places themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk of serious injury due to the increased likelihood of causing a crash.
Inspector Greenwood said safety on Tasmania’s roads was a priority for police.
“We will continue to conduct both highly visible and covert operations that target the fatal five: speeding, fatigue, distraction, seatbelts and alcohol and drugs.”
Driver taken to hospital after New Town rollover
Saturday June 17: A driver involved in a rollover on a major Hobart thoroughfare has been taken to hospital.
Police were called to the scene of the single vehicle rollover on New Town Rd, New Town, at about 8am.
The road was partly blocked as a result.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area until the scene was cleared.
The road was cleared before 8.30am.
Tobacco theft crime wave sparks investigation
CIB detectives are intent on making arrests after a spate of burglaries on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.
Shortly after 4am on Monday, a bottle shop in Howrah was broken into. A large quantity of cigarettes was stolen.
On Wednesday at the same time, a bottle shop in Sorrell was broken into and a large quantity of cigarettes and alcohol was stolen.
At 3.40am on Thursday, a service station in Rosny Park was targeted. Again, a large quantity of cigarettes was stolen.
Police say a stolen Nissan Maxima was involved in the crimes. The car was later found – burnt out on Colebrook Rd at Richmond.
Bellerive CIB Detective Sergeant Josh Wood urged the public to contact police with any information.
Bellerive CIB: 131 444. Crime Stoppers: crimestopperstas.com.au
Major CBD road reopens after pedestrian hit by vehicle
Update, June 13, 2.36pm: Police have reopened York Street after an earlier car and pedestrian incident. A spokeswoman said the pedestrian was transported to the Launceston General Hospital and they continued to investigate.
Update, June 13, 2.20pm: York Street, Launceston between Tamar Street and George Street remains closed to traffic after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at about 1.30pm.
At least three police units plus a fire crew remained on the scene at approximately 2.15pm in pouring rain.
Pictures taken at the time depicted a Metro bus blocking both lanes of traffic, but it’s understood the bus was not the vehicle involved in the collision and was in fact in the process of being diverted.
The collision occurred between York Street apartments York Mansions and Balmoral on York. A section of footpath outside York Mansions is out of action due to ongoing work.
Pedestrians here are directed across the road to use the other footpath.
It is not known whether the footpath is closed due to private or civil works.
June 13, 2pm: Police and emergency services have rushed to Launceston CBD after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on York Street.
Police say the pedestrian is receiving medical treatment at the scene.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.
Man nabbed over alleged $200k burglary spree
June 12, 12.39pm: A 35-year-old Tasmanian man has been hit with a string of charges after allegedly going on a $200,000 crime spree which included the theft of a car and a large quantity of jewellery.
The crime spree was alleged to have been carried out on several businesses on Hobart’s Eastern Shore in April.
Police will allege the man stole about $200,000 worth of property, including a vehicle and a significant amount of jewellery.
“He was arrested in April after being caught driving the stolen car, and further investigations led to him being charged with several burglaries, as well as driving and firearms offences,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
Police say the car and some stolen property has been recovered by police, but a large amount of jewellery remains unaccounted for.
He is due to appear in court today.
Police would like to hear from anyone with information about the burglaries, or the whereabouts of the stolen property.
Information can be provided anonymously to Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au.
‘Deliberate’ house fire causes $100k damage
Updated: Police have launched an investigation into a deliberately lit fire at an under-construction home at Gagebrook.
Police and emergency services crews were called to the Laurence Pl, Gagebrook address at about 9.40pm on Sunday night.
“Tasmania Fire Service quickly extinguished the fire, which was confined to one room with minimal damage occurring,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
June 12, 9:01am: A deliberately lit house fire that tore through the loungeroom of a Gagebrook home left a whopping $100k in damage.
Fire crews from Bridgewater responded to the fire at Laurence Pl, Gagebrook, late on Sunday evening.
There, they found a fire in the loungeroom of the house.
Fireys quickly worked to get the blaze under control.
The fire was deemed deliberate, and caused approximately $100k in damage.
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