Busy new year period for state’s firefighters

Police belive a fire that destroyed two buildings and several vehicles in a suburb of Launceston was deliberately lit.

POLICE belive a fire that destroyed two buildings and several vehicles in a suburb of Launceston was deliberately lit.

The fire was reported about 6pm on Monday near Vermont and Bill Grove roads in Mowbray and police estimate the fire caused more than $500,000 in damages.

A spokeswoman for the Nothern Criminal Investigation Branch said the property had been used as a timber mill and the fire destroyed a large quantity of timber and machinery.

The fire also destroyed several vehicles on the property.

“Upon arrival at the scene, emergency services worked to protect adjacent properties,” she said.

“Superficial damage was caused to a nearby house.”

“No persons were injured during the incident.”

Detectives are investigating the fire.

“It is believed to have been deliberately lit,” the spokeswoman said.

Police closed the southeast end of Bill Grove Rd.

A Tasmanian Fire Service spokeswoman said firefighters were expected to remain at the site overnight.

Meanwhile, the Tasmania Fire Service is responding to 11 fires across the state as the New Year is expected to bring with it some scorching weather.

Local fire crews remain at the scene of a bushfire at Bruny Island’s Conley’s Point, which first started on Christmas Eve and forced the evacuation of up to 100 people.

The TFS advises the blaze poses no immediate threat and is now under control.

FIREFIGHTERS REMAIN ON ALERT ACROSS TASMANIA

TFS resources, including two heavy tankers, are working to contain a bush fire at Long Hill Plantation near Sassafras in the state’s North. The TFS first reported the blaze shortly after 11am on Monday.

The Boxing Day fire at Lefroy in the north of the state is still being patrolled by crews as the fire continues across 45ha.

Other areas currently patrolled by fire crews include Shark Point Rd at Penna, a 9ha bushfire burning south of Cape Sorell lighthouse at Macquarie Heads, and a bushfire at Mona Vale Road at Ross.

The TFS also reports vegetation fires burning at Gell River in the South-West, Honey Suckle Rd near Tooms Lake in the East of the state, and at Highland Lakes Road near Steppes.

Further bushfires haven been reported at Table Mountain, near Interlaken, and Pillies Rd at Ellendale.

The Bureau of Meteorology shows Hobart is expected to see a sunny top of 25C for New Year’s Day.

The bureau predicts the hot weather will continue, with Wednesday forecast to reach 23C before 28C on Thursday and a sweltering 33C on Friday.