Fire sparks search for man in what one officer describes as "weirdest" case of his career

POLICE are searching for the owner of a house that burned down in a bizarre fire yesterday.

POLICE are searching for the owner of a house that burned down in a bizarre fire yesterday amid fears he may have died in the blaze.

A seasoned Tasmanian firefighter says the suspicious house fire in Devonport is the "weirdest" of his career.

Launceston Fire Station officer Craig Burrows said firefighters were hampered in their efforts to contain the blaze because the nearby fire hydrants had been concreted over and the windows of the house were boarded up and then covered in steel plates.

Emergency crews were called to the Nixon St house at 3am after neighbours reported loud bangs. When fire crews arrived the house was engulfed in flames.

Mr Burrows said it was not yet clear if the owner of the property, 66-year-old Geoffrey Hay, escaped the blaze or was still inside the burnt remains of the house.

"We had to stop our investigation after we found a drum of chemicals inside the home," Mr Burrows said at the scene yesterday. "We have only been in the front room. Hopefully he has escaped but he cannot be contacted at this stage."

Other chemical drums were found in the backyard of the property. Mr Burrows said the windows had been boarded up in the past few weeks and the concrete that blocked access to the fire hydrants was freshly poured.

"This is definitely the weirdest house fire I have ever been to," he said.

The property has a for sale sign in the front yard.

Next-door neighbour Carolyne Beaumont said she was woken by the loud bangs and came outside to see flames bursting from the property.

"I thought he might be inside but then I noticed his vehicles were gone and I hoped he was away," Mrs Beaumont said.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are appealing for Mr Hay, or anyone who knows where he is, to make contact.

They are also keen to speak to anyone who knows where a white 2003 Mercedes Campervan (rego FB8981), a 2001 Suzuki Jimmy (rego EW9974) or a 2012 Mercedes Sprinter van (rego C67LE) may be. Contact Devonport CIB on 6478 4036 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.