Four fire appliances at blaze in Blackmans Bay

Firefighters roll out to blaze at Blackmans Bay | Emergency services are searching for a solo yachtsman in the Bass Strait. FOLLOW LIVE >>

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 1

POLICE SEARCH FOR OVERDUE YACHTIE

EMERGENCY services have located a missing yacht in the Bass Strait following reports of an overdue vessel, but the solo sailor remains lost.

A Victoria Police vessel was deployed to the location to check the vessel.

A spokeswoman from Victoria Police told The Mercury the vessel is under tow.

“Victoria Police Water Police have the yacht under tow and are heading to Deal Island. The sailor is still missing,” she said.

Marine authorities including Tasmania Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Marine and Safety Authority received the report of the overdue yachtie at 2.10pm on Thursday. He was due at Deal Island, northwest of Flinders Island.

It is understood that an experienced solo yachtsman left Eden in NSW on an 18m yacht on December 26 and was intending to arrive at Deal Island on December 28.

The Tasmanian Westpac Rescue Helicopter and AMSA challenger jet were used to search the Bass Strait in the Deal Island area.

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BLACKMANS BAY FIRE

FOUR firefighting crews attended a blaze at Roslyn Ave, Blackmans Bay just after 9pm last night.

Tasmania Fire Service said crews from Kingston and Hobart responded to the triple-0 call reporting a house on fire.

On arrival crews found smoke coming from the building.

Roslyn Rd was closed and traffic was diverted until 10.50pm

TFS crews were also called to a structure fire at Tyne Rd in Mathinna and another at Holbrook St in Invermay overnight

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Originally published as Four fire appliances at blaze in Blackmans Bay