Anglers lose a favourite haunt as Skittle Ball Plains Homestead lost to bushfire in Central Highlands

The ruins of Skittle Ball Plains Homestead are a mute example of how even the best-prepared properties can be lost to bushfire.

THE ruins of Skittle Ball Plains Homestead are a mute example of how even the best-prepared properties can be lost to bushfire.

The flames from the Great Pine Tier fire front never reached the building at Little Pine Lagoon.

“Set in an unburned cleared area, defended by owners and fire crews, and with sprinklers operating on its room, the building was lost at 7pm on Tuesday night to an ember attack,” the Tasmania Fire Service said.

“Fire crews and the owners were defending the property from bushfire when conditions became untenable and required everyone to evacuate. Thankfully everyone involved is safe.

“This photo clearly shows an unburnt area and green trees around the house, which indicates the house came under ember attack, rather than direct impact from the nearby Central Plateau fire.”

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A house at Skittle Ball Plains near Miena lost to fire just before 7pm last night. The owners had a plan to stay and defend their property with the assistance of fire crews.

Tasmania Fire Service recommends residents do not plan to defend their homes when the Fire Danger Rating exceeds 50 (severe) in their area unless they have created a defendable space and ember-proofed their home.

And unless that home has a defendable space and has been designed and built specifically to withstand a bushfire, you should not plan to defend it if the Fire Danger Rating exceeds 75 (extreme).

The Skittle Ball Plains Homestead, owned by Devonport dentist Jules Fantarella, stood about 7km from Miena.

It operated as an Airbnb and was popular with visiting anglers at a lagoon regarded as one of the best fly fishing destinations in Australia.

Dr Fantarella was at the homestead at the time and watched firefighters trying to save the property.

Skittle Ball Plains Homestead at Miena was destroyed by fire on Wednesday. Picture: AIRBNB

Mercury fishing columnist Carl Hyland said the homestead was popular with fly-in anglers.

“The loss of the homestead will put another dent in the accommodation offering for anglers in the highlands — especially with the World Fly Fishing Championships being held in Tasmania this year,” Mr Hyland said.

“I understand there were a lot of people there trying to save it but it is gone despite their efforts.”

Little Pine Lagoon was constructed in the 1950s.

Over the championships, competition will be held at Little Pine and Penstock lagoons, Wood Lake and in the Meander and Mersey rivers.