Donations come flooding in for Sorell family devastated by house fire
The community has rallied behind a family who lost everything in a house fire, with total strangers donating money and goods to help them rebuild their lives.
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The community has rallied behind a family who lost everything in a house fire, with total strangers donating money and goods to help them rebuild their lives.
Nick and Aquilla Lowe said they were “overwhelmed” by the response from the community, which managed to raise thousands of dollars mere hours after the fire.
In addition, wellwishers have been dropping off enormous quantities of food, clothes, and kids’ toys to the Pembroke Hotel, Three Peaks Gallery, and Lady Gowrie childcare centre.
“We’re incredibly thankful and overwhelmed by everyone’s support,” Mrs Lowe said.
“We both work in childcare so we know lots of parents around and lots of people who we’ve looked after have shown a lot of love back to us.”
While they may have lost nearly all their earthly possessions, Mr Lowe said he was thankful that his wife and two children were safe and sound.
The Lowes even have their family car, which was saved from the inferno by a quick-thinking driver who just so happened to be passing by.
“We saw footage from the neighbour of the man who saved our car. He pulled up at his mate’s place, got out of his car, and the footage shows him running straight across the street to our house,” Mr Lowe said.
“He ran into the smoke to pull cars out. He was the real hero. His name is Shaun - a real legend.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser was started by family friend Monique Boost, who has known Mrs Lowe since she was a little girl.
Ms Boost said they were both kind-hearted people who went out of their way to help other people, and now the community was returning the favour.
“I just wanted to help out in some way. I’ve been affected by things before and people have me out, so I’m just paying it forward,” Ms Boost said.
“The support has been fantastic. Sorell is a really good community to live in, and we’re really lucky to have the community’s support.”
Mr and Mrs Lowe and their two children are currently living with Aquilla’s mum, Brooke Harris, while the family gets back on their feet.
Mrs Harris said she had no doubt in her mind that they would bounce back from this, especially with so many people backing them.
“It’s a very crowded house at the moment, but that’s okay. As long as they’re okay, everything else can be replaced,” Mrs Harris said.
The Lowe family GoFundMe page can be found here.
House fire Sorell – September 9
A mother and three children managed to escape a burning building earlier today after their house caught fire on Forcett Street, Sorell.
Their dad Nick Lowe, who is a postman, was out doing deliveries when he got a panic-stricken call from his wife Aquilla Lowe.
“I was at work, my wife called me distraught, saying our house was on fire so I rushed here and as I was coming down Arthur Street I could see the smoke,” Mr Lowe said.
“The whole house is wood, so the moment a fire did start it didn’t take long.“
Neighbour Jen Woolley said she was shocked to hear the sound of screams coming from the burning house.
“I thought it was our shed that was on fire at first. I heard screaming, ‘help, help’, but we couldn’t see anything because of all the smoke,” Mrs Woolley said.
Peter Thompson, who is the grandfather of the children, said he was incredible relieved that everyone had made it out safely.
Mr Thompson said they believe the source of the fire was a cardboard box that had been left on the stovetop.
“What happened was a box was on the oven on top of the hotplate and we think one of the kids turned the oven on,” Mr Thompson said.
“It hit the curtain, we think. They were in the middle of packing stuff into the shed, and they were putting it all on the stove and one of the kids come along, I reckon, and turned one of the hotplates on.”
Fire investigator Tim McKay warned that small children should always be supervised while in the kitchen.
“This is an example of how momentary inattention can have serious consequences,” he said.
“Unfortunately in this instance there were cardboard boxes sitting on top of the stove at the time, which have caught alight very quickly.
“Many house fires start in the kitchen, and this serves as a reminder that flammable materials should always be stored away from the stove.”
Dodges Ferry Brigade second officer Oliver Torenius said the fire spread rapidly, but that they managed to prevent it from spreading to other houses.
“On arrival the structure was fully involved [on fire], it’s a Western red cedar clad building,” Mr Torenius said.
Nobody was harmed in the fire, however the roof of the house has collapsed and the family car has been totally burnt. The total damage is around $600,000.
The family say they have been inundated with support from the community, who have offered to give them clothes, furniture, and a place to stay while they get back on their feet.
Charges laid, man allegedly shot at people in public space
A man who allegedly fired a gun at a group of people on the street has been charged.
Tasmania Police said the 38-year-old Glenorchy man allegedly shot “in the direction of several people” on Chapel St, Glenorchy about 8pm Wednesday.
“Police will allege this incident was targeted,” a Tasmania Police spokeswoman said.
“However, police remain concerned that the incident occurred in a public area. “Subsequently, the police response last night was immediate with officers from multiple areas responding. Attending officers quickly took control of the scene, which led to the man being arrested shortly after the incident.”
No one was injured.
The man was charged with several firearm and assault offences and will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.
Firies called to Hobart City Council Chambers – 4:20pm, Wednesday September 8
A fire in the motor of a lift resulted in hundreds of Hobart City Council employees being evacuated from a CBD building on Wednesday afternoon.
The call was made to the TFS about 4.15pm, following reports of smoke in the building.
The fire was quickly contained.
About 200 people were evacuated, the building’s chief warden Vanessa Oates said.
The building is on the corner of Elizabeth and Davey St, and police conducted traffic control as part of one lane on Davey St was temporarily closed to traffic.
No one was hurt with occupants able to return to the building just before 5pm.
Teenager stabbed in New Town – Tuesday September 7
A TEENAGER was stabbed and three more were arrested by police after an early-morning altercation at New Town.
Tasmania Police said it was investigating the incident on Wilmslow Avenue about 4.30am on Tuesday morning between teenagers known to each other.
“As a result of the incident, a teenager received injuries from a sharp implement which required medical treatment,’’ a police statement said.
“The injuries were reportedly non-life-threatening.”
Three teenagers have been charged with wounding and will appear before the Youth Justice Court at a later date.
Two charged after man was hospitalised from assault – Tuesday September 7
A teen and 40-year-old have been charged after an assault in a Woolworths car park saw a man hospitalised.
Tasmania Police Detective Constable Sarah Campbell said the victim suffered “serious facial injuries” and required hospital treatment.
“Around 2pm on (August) 29, a 27-year-old man was assaulted by two people in the car park of Woolworths Scottsdale,” Detective Constable Campbell said.
A 40-year-old man and a 17-year-old from Kings Meadows have since been charged with assault.
Police are seeking witnesses.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police via 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously via crimestopperstas.com.au or 1800 333 000.
Worker at Hobart zinc smelter dies – Tuesday September 7
A contractor at Hobart zinc smelter, Nyrstar has died after they were found unconscious after performing duties on Tuesday morning.
Ambulance Tasmania attended the scene and administered medical treatment at around 11am but the worker was not able to be saved.
Nyrstar Hobart said early investigations have not identified plant or process related issues.
The company said it will work with WorkSafe Tasmania and Tasmania Police to undertake an investigation.
Counselling and other support will be offered to colleagues.
Berriedale house fire – Tuesday September 7
Tasmania police and fire crews are on the scene of a house fire in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
Police have closed Marys Hope Road in Berriedale to all traffic while fire crews work to contain the blaze.
A Mercury reporter at the scene said a weatherboard home at Rosetta has been burnt out in a devastating house fire.
Fire fighters, investigators and police continue remain at the hilltop scene at Marys Hope Road.
Smoke continues to plume from the home, with the corrugated iron roof left blackened and scorched.
Two fire trucks remain on the scene and the road has been cordoned off.
More to come …
Local pub bans drink driver – Tuesday September 7
A 40-year-old Strahan man has been barred from his local pub after he was caught High Range drink driving on Wednesday evening.
According to Police, the driver of the vehicle refused to pull over for police before being taken into custody at his house.
He recorded a reading of 0.183 – nearly four times the legal limit.
Tasmania Police said the man was issued with an instant six-month driving disqualification, and has been bailed to appear at court in November to face numerous charges.
Constable Wayne Bradford from Strahan thanked the local publican for their support.
“Licensees have the power to issue Barring Orders to patrons for being intoxicated, violent or quarrelsome, putting the safety of others on the premises at risk because of their consumption of liquor, or any other reasonable grounds.”
Bass Highway fatal crash – Tuesday September 7
An Ulverstone man has died overnight in a car crash at Boat Harbour in tasmania’s North West.
According to Tasmania Police, a grey Audi A4 sedan left the Bass Highway at Boat Harbour and struck a tree on the side of the road around 6pm
A 66 year old male from the Ulverstone area died at the scene as a result of the injuries he received during the crash.
The highway was closed crews worked to clear the scene.
Police said early investigations suggest speed was a contributing factor to the crash.
If anyone observed this vehicle travelling on the Bass Highway they are asked to provide any
information, or dash camera footage, to police on 131444, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Suspicious fire at Forcett – Monday September 6
Tasmania Police is investigating after a wheel loader at a quarry in the state’s southeast was set alight.
Fire crews were called to the suspicious blaze at Forcett at about 7.40pm on Monday.
Police are expected to stay on the scene overnight, with forensics to attend on Tuesday.
Victorian man fined for Covid breach – Monday September 6
A Victorian man has been issued a $3114 fine by Tasmania Police for falsely claiming to be a transport, freight and logistics worker to enter Tasmania as an ‘Essential Traveller’.
Tasmania Police said the traveller knowingly provided altered evidential documentation to gain entry into the state.
After receiving tip offs from the community, Tasmania Police investigated and the man was fined for offences including ‘Knowingly Provide False Details to an Emergency Management Worker” and “Fail to Comply with Direction of an Emergency Management Worker”.
The 22-year-old entered Tasmania on 24 August and is now in quarantine.
Tasmania Police said the risk to the community being exposed to Covid-19 was low.
Inspector John Toohey said authorities would continue to crack down on people who knowingly flouted the laws, designed to protect Tasmanians.
“These rules need to be taken seriously; they are in place to keep us all safe and to limit the very real risk of Covid-19 entering Tasmania,” he said.
“While the vast majority of people are doing the right thing, we need those who are not to put the selfishness aside and think about the wider community, particularly those who are more vulnerable.”
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