Man dies in unit fire in Gilbert St, Latrobe

UPDATED: Tasmania’s third house fire fatality in as many weeks has been described as another tragic reminder of the perils winter presents in Tasmania.

The scene of a fatal fire at Gilbert St, Latrobe. Picture: HELEN KEMPTON

UPDATED: TASMANIA has recorded its third house fire fatality in as many weeks with the death of a man in his Latrobe unit last night.

Locals described the man who lived in the unit as a quiet middle-aged person who kept to himself but was regularly seen out and about on his mobility scooter.

Fire authorities were alerted to the blaze — in the end unit of a block of three near Mackey’s Hotel in Gilbert St — just after 9.30pm on Tuesday night.

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The man’s neighbour heard glass smash and got out and rang Tasmanian Fire Service.

His unit, divided from the destroyed property by a brick wall, survived thanks to the quick actions from the Latrobe Fire Brigade supported by units from Port Sorell and Devonport.

Inspector Steve Jones said investigators remained at the scene and the identity of the deceased person inside had not been officially released.

It is presumed it is the man who lived in the unit but an autopsy will be carried out before he is formally identified.

“Fire investigators are here but I expect it will take most of the day before the cause of the fire is determined,” Inspector Jones said.

“The person inside will be taken to Hobart for an autopsy to allow him to be formally identified but we have notified the family of the man we believe it is.”

He said the man’s family lived locally.

“The unit was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and they have done an excellent job to stop it spreading to neighbouring properties,” Inspector Jones said.

Mayor Peter Freshney said the man’s death was another tragic reminder of the perils winter presented in Tasmania.

“Like most people in Latrobe he would have been well known although I did not know him personally,” Mayor Freshney said.

“It is a very sad day for his family and friends and for the first responders who in this case were the local Latrobe brigade which is just metres up the road.”

Two other Tasmanians died in house fires in late May.

A 90-year-old West Moonah woman died last Wednesday after a wheat-filled heat pack burst into flames in the microwave.

A 61-year-old man died a few days earlier in a Swansea garage he called home.

UPDATED: A person had died following a fire at a unit at Latrobe overnight.

In a brief statement about 8.30am, police said the fire was reported at 9.40pm and Tasmania Fire Service units from Latrobe and Devonport arrived to find the unit completely engulfed by flames.

Police said the fire was extinguished and a person was found dead inside the unit.

TFS fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, and police investigators and forensic officers remain on the scene.

More to come...

EARLIER: POLICE and fire crews are attending a structure fire that started at Latrobe in Tasmania’s North last night.

The blaze was first reported at Gilbert St at 9.39pm.

Police and fire crews were still in attendance shortly after 7am this morning.

No further details are currently available.