BUSHFIRE ALERT: Fire takes hold at Cosgrove High School after smoke alert issued for Collinsvale
UPDATED: Staff from Cosgrove High School are said to be devastated after a blaze extensively damaged the school last night. SEE THE EXCLUSIVE PICS AND VIDEO >>
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UPDATE 8AM: ASH fell on to neighbouring properties and thick plumes of smoke filled the night air as fire crews fought to bring a blaze at Cosgrove High School under control late Saturday.
Several Tasmania Fire Service trucks rushed to the scene at Main Rd, Glenorchy, after the blaze was first reported at 7.56pm.
Richard Stewart, whose house backs on to the school, said ash was falling on to his property and smoke had filled his home.
“I wandered outside to see what all the sirens were for,” he said.
“It turns out a whole tree and building was on fire.”
Mr Stewart said flames soared more than 10m high, just metres from his back fence.
Alarms were ringing on site with concerned parents, children and community members gathered near the school.
One onlooker said smoke from the structure fire had blanketed Main Rd, Glenorchy.
Another said staff were “beside themselves”.
School Principal Andrew Woodham posted on the school’s Facebook Page that the fire was a blow for the school.
“This will be devastating news for our whole school community. School staff … have been impressed by the professionalism and care of Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police,”
he wrote.
“This will be a week where we all need to support each other and our core value of resilience will be on display. We will share more information as soon as we can.”
Labor Upper House MP Josh Willie posted his support.
“Terrible news. Thinking of the students, parents and staff. What a challenging year for education. Best wishes to Mr Woodham and the school community as you work through this,” he wrote.
By 9.30pm, firefighters from Glenorchy, Hobart, Bridgewater and Mount Nelson were extinguishing flames emanating from the school classroom closest to Mr Stewart’s home towards the west side of the school grounds.
Much of the building and tables inside appeared completely burnt out.
“You don’t like to see a school being burnt, I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Mr Stewart said.
“Luckily the fire brigade were there within minutes.”
Whether the fire has affected other buildings is not yet known.
It is understood the building that caught fire was actively being used by the school but details have not yet emerged over the cause of the blaze. Earlier yesterday evening, TFS crews were called to a fire at the former Claremont Primary School, while a bushfire and smoke alert was issued at Collinsvale.
Crews from Glenorchy, Bridgewater and Hobart attended the Claremont Primary scene and quickly contained the fire.
The bushfire at Mount Hull Rd, Collinsvale and a nearby controlled fuel reduction burn prompted a bushfire and smoke warning for Collinsvale, Berridale, Chigwell and Claremont, but the flames were later downgraded to non-alert level and contained to a vegetation fire.
UPDATE 9PM:
MULTIPLE Tasmania Fire Service vehicles were called to the scene of a fire at Cosgrove High School in Glenorchy.
Alarms rang out on site as concerned parents, children and community members gathered near the school.
One onlooker said smoke from the structure fire had blanketed Main Rd, Glenorchy.
Another said staff were “beside themselves”.
Richard Stewart, whose house backs onto the school, said ash was falling onto his property and smoke filled his home some time after 7pm.
“I wandered outside to see what all the sirens were for,” he said.
“It turns out a whole tree and building was on fire.”
Mr Stewart said flames soared above 10m only metres from his back fence.
By 9.30pm, firefighters were putting out flames from within the school building closest to Mr Stewart’s home.
The building and tables inside appeared to be completely burnt out.
“You don’t like to see a school being burnt, I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Mr Stewart said.
“Luckily the fire brigade were there within minutes.”
Whether or not the fire has spread to other buildings is not yet known.
It is understood the building that caught fire was actively being used by the school.
Also this evening, TFS crews were called to a fire at the former Claremont Primary School.
Crews from Glenorchy, Bridgewater and Hobart attended the scene and quickly contained the fire.
EARLIER, 8PM:
A smoke alert has been issued for suburbs surrounding Collinsvale resulting from a fuel reduction burn and a currently burning bushfire.
The Tasmania Fire Service issued an alert at 5.15pm saying a bushfire was burning at Mount Hull Rd, Collinsvale.
The TFS sent a further update about 8pm warning smoke and ash may be visible around Collinsvale, Berridale, Chigwell and Claremont due to the Mount Hull Rd bushfire and a fuel reduction burn at Goats Hill, Collinsvale.
Those travelling in the areas have been asked to “exercise caution”, turn on headlights and drive slowly if driving through smoke.
While the blaze poses no immediate threat, TFS has warned bushfires “can be difficult to control” under the current weather conditions.
People with medical conditions are encouraged to develop a personal plan for avoiding smoke.
For health advice visit the Department of Health or Asthma Australia.
EARLIER 5.15PM:
A bushfire is burning at Mount Hull Road in Collinsvale, southwest of Glenorchy in Hobart’s outer suburbs.
A statement from TFS states there is currently no immediate threat.
“Fire under these conditions can be difficult to control,” the statement read.
One heavy tanker, three medium tankers and two light tankers are currently in attendance.
WHAT TO DO:
- People in Collinsvale should keep up to date by listening to ABC Local Radio or look at the TFS website at www.fire.tas.gov.au.
- Well prepared homes are defendable in these conditions.
- If you are not prepared for a bushfire, think about leaving for a safe place if it gets more dangerous.
- If your family has made a bushfire survival plan, check it now.
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