Alice Springs fire: Ashwin St structure fire closes suburban road, traffic diversions placed

A structure fire has broken out on a suburban Alice Springs road, with authorities urging residents in the area to stay indoors.

Traffic diversions are in place for a structure fire that broke out on Ashwin St in Alice Springs. Picture: NTFRS

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Alice Springs and Central rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest news from Alice Springs right up to the Barkly.

June 26, 8.30am: Traffic diversions are in place for a structure fire currently burning on Ashwin St in Alice Springs.

Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services said the blaze began about 8.30am Thursday.

Firefighters were still responding to the fire at the time of writing, and members of the public were urged to avoid the area.

An NTFRS spokesperson said residents and those who are in the area for work should stay inside with their windows and doors closed where possible, and they should avoid any outdoor activities.

An NTFRS fire investigator and NT Police are working to determine the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444.

More to come.

Teen arrested after allegedly assaulting four women in Alice Springs

June 25, 11am: Alice Springs police have arrested a teenage boy in connection to a string of alleged indecent assaults on four women.

Police said the teen, aged 14, was arrested at a house in Gillen on Wednesday, and was expected to be charged later in the day.

The teen was arrested in connection to an indecent assault on the Todd River on June 20, police said.

It is alleged a woman was jogging along the river when she was assaulted by a male riding a bike.

Three more women then contacted police after the first assault was reported.

They alleged similar assaults which also along the Todd River.

In a statement, NT police said they expected to charge the teen with three counts of indecent touching or act, and one count of gross indecency without consent.

Anyone with more information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2500062998.

Anonymous reports can also be made to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

Drone tracks kids after brazenly stealing Power and Water car from hotel

June 25, 6.30am: Six children who tried to flee after their stolen car was stopped by police were snagged by police using a drone to track their movements.

Southern Watch Commander Jared Thompson said the keys to the government owned Power and Water vehicle were stolen from a hotel room at Lasseters Casino about 7.40pm on June 24.

The vehicle was seen entering Alice Springs CBD in the early hours of Wednesday, with police deploying a tyre deflation device about 3am.

Commander Thompson said the intervention was “successful” and the vehicle was forced to stop.

He said six children spilled out of the vehicle and tried to flee the scene.

But a police drone tracked the alleged offenders, with the group – comprised of boys and girls aged between 13 and 17 – arrested “within minutes”, Commander Thompson said.

The six are expected to be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

Two break-ins in Braitling, one successful and the other a failure

June 23, 7am: NT Police are on the hunt for a gang of burglars who broke into two Braitling homes early on Monday morning, stealing a Toyota Camry.

Southern Watch Commander Jared Thompson said the first attempt about midnight failed for the would be intruders when the homeowners scared the group off.

Two hours later, at a property a few doors down, what police believe to be the same group broke into another Braitling residence and stole a Toyota Camry, according to police.

That vehicle was recovered about 5am in a different Alice Springs suburb.

Commander Thompson said the two incidents were “definitely connected”, with police still on the look out for three to four suspects.

No reference number was given to this masthead.

Originally published as Alice Springs fire: Ashwin St structure fire closes suburban road, traffic diversions placed