NewsBite

Tasmania breaking news: Crews working to extinguish a blaze fully engulfing a Chigwell unit

Firefighters arrived to the incident where a unit was engulfed by flames. See the photos.

Unit fire at Beenak Street, Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd
Unit fire at Beenak Street, Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.

Three brigades respond to unit fully alight in northern suburbs

Updated 10.20am: Crews have extinguished a unit fire at Beenak St, Chigwell.

The blaze tore through the structure, leaving the inside burnt out.

Firefighters remain on the scene.

Unit fire at Beenak Street, Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd
Unit fire at Beenak Street, Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd

March 11, 9.35am: Firefighters from Glenorchy, Bridgewater and Claremont are responding to reports of a structure fire at Beenak St, Chigwell.

Crews say the unit was fully engulfed by the blaze upon arrival.

More to come.

Unit fire at Beenak Street, Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd
Unit fire at Beenak Street, Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd

Front door of a unit set alight deemed deliberately lit

March 11, 8.30am: An early morning blaze at Stanley St, Summerhill is believed to be deliberately lit.

A TFS spokesman said the fire wasn’t as bad as first reported, with crews arriving to a unit front door set alight.

He said the blaze was fully extinguished with fire investigators deeming it deliberately lit and the incident handed over to police.

Teen allegedly wielding hammer charged over chemist robbery

March 10, 10.30am: Police have charged a 15-year-old who allegedly threatened staff at a Blackmans Bay chemist with a hammer.

The teen reportedly entered the chemist in Bayview Market about 2.20pm on Saturday.

Police allege the 15-year-old threatened a staff member with a hammer and stole a quantity of prescription medication.

Officers say no one was physically injured, but the victim was shaken by the incident.

Police officers from Kingston responded to the incident and the offender was reportedly found and arrested within 30 minutes.

Police say the hammer and stolen property were also found.

The teenager will appear in court today.

Log pile fire billows smoke across northern suburbs

March 10, 8.30am: Firefighters are working to control a log pile fire at Elderslie Rd, Brighton this morning.

Authorities say there is no threat to the community, however have issued a smoke alert to avoid the area.

People at higher risk from the effects of smoke have been told to enact their person plan for avoiding smoke and managing their health.

TasAlert says smoke from this fire is expected to be visible in the area.

Woman dead after Poatina crash

March 8, 5pm: A 21-year-old woman has died in a crash at Poatina Road this afternoon in an incident which also left three in hospital.

Police were called to the scene about 2pm, where it’s believed the Toyota Tarago went down an embankment and flipped.

Police believe the vehicle was travelling east in the moments leading up to the crash.

The woman who died was not the driver of the Toyota Tarago, and there were three other occupants in the vehicle, also aged in their twenties.

The three survivors were rushed to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police are now seeking dashcam footage from motorists who may have captured the vehicle driving in the area at the time.

March 8, 2.46pm: Emergency services are rushing to help after reports of serious injuries following a single vehicle crash on Poatina Rd, near Poatina.

The crash is reported to be 2km south of the Poatina Lookout.

Poatina Rd from the village to Poatina Intake Rd have been closed due to the incident.

Tradie witness sought: investigation into string of burglaries

March 8, 2.05pm: Police believe a tradesperson talking to a man and woman in Flora St, Ulverstone today around 12.30pm could assist with investigations into a series of burglaries.

The pair are now in custody following an investigation into alleged burglaries in the Ulverstone area overnight.

The man the tradesperson spoke to is described as being 40-years-old, wearing a grey coloured top, maroon hat and denim pants with tattoos on his face. He was in the company of a woman at the time.

The person who police wish to speak to is not in any trouble, but is encouraged to contact Ulverstone Police on 131 444.

Person rushed to hospital after serious truck crash

A person has been rushed to hospital after a serious crash involving a truck at Kettering this afternoon.

Police say the individual sustained serious injuries after the incident, which occurred at Groombridges Road around 2pm.

Serious truck crash Groombridges Road, Kettering.
Serious truck crash Groombridges Road, Kettering.
Serious truck crash Groombridges Road, Kettering.
Serious truck crash Groombridges Road, Kettering.

“Groomsbridges Road is closed at Oxleys Road, with the closure expected to be in place for the next 2.5 hours,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.

“Local traffic should use Saddle Road as an alternative, with other motorists asked to avoid the area.”

More to come.

61 year old man dies after alleged assault

March 7, 9am

A 61 year old man has died after he was allegedly assaulted in Hobart on Sunday.

The man was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital after the alleged incident at Warwick Street, but on Thursday morning, authorities confirmed he had since passed away.

The Royal Hobart Hospital.
The Royal Hobart Hospital.

On Monday a 57 year old man was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and was remanded in custody after appearing in court.

He’s set to reappear at the Hobart Magistrates Court in April, but it’s not yet been confirmed if there were any changes to his charges.

Investigations into the alleged incident are continuing.

Bushfire warning for Ravenswood

March 7, 8:30am: The Prossers Forrest Road fire at Ravenswood has been downgraded to an Advice warning.

The Tasmania Fire Service says there is no immediate threat, but has urged those in the Ravenswood, Waverley, Boomer Hill, Drivers Run, Distillery Creek and Surrounding Areas to monitor conditions.

March 6, 4:30pm: Residents in Castlemain Road and Prossers Forrest Road in Ravenswood have been urged to prepare their homes as a bushfire burns in the area.

A Watch and Act warning has been issued for the area, as the fire moves toward Ravenswood and Drivers Run.

As Tasmania Fire Service crews attend the scene, firefighters are warning those in the area to watch out for embers, smoke and ash, which may fall further afield.

The fire service says residents should be prepared to leave, if it is safe to do so.

Meanwhile an Advice warning has been issued for Pelverata in the state’s south, for a bushfire on Pelverata Road.

Authorities say there is no immediate threat, but conditions may change. Well prepared homes are expected to be defendable, but those who aren’t prepared should go to a safer place.

Man charged over alleged serious assault of 61 year old

March 4, 6pm: A 57-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly assaulted a 61-year old-man in Hobart on Sunday.

Police say the victim is in a serious condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital after an alleged incident at Warwick Street in Hobart.

The Hobart man was charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm and it set to appear at the Hobart Magistrates Court this evening.

Injuries reported after minor crash closes CBD streets

March 4, 3:42pm: Emergency services are swarming to a minor crash on Tamar St, Launceston.

Police say minor injuries have been reported at this stage.

The road has been closed to traffic between Cimitiere and Cameron Streets.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area until it’s cleared.

Repeat offenders face 2000+ charges

March 4, 12pm: There were 669 repeat offenders collectively charged with more than 2000 offences in the last 12 months, as a result of a police crack down.

The charges were laid as part of Taskforce Saturate, an operation specifically targets those who have had previous run ins with the law.

“We know that a relatively small number of people in our community are responsible for a significant amount of offences,” Tasmania Police inspector John Toohey said.

Inspector John Toohey at Salamanca urging caution ahead of New Year celebrations. Picture: Linda Higginson
Inspector John Toohey at Salamanca urging caution ahead of New Year celebrations. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Our Saturate officers work tirelessly to identify and apprehend these offenders, and have laid charges over a wide range of crimes, including aggravated armed robbery, aggravated burglary, stealing, assault, breach of bail, drug and firearm offences, dangerous driving, evade police and disqualified driving.”

Inspector Toohey urged anyone who may have witnessed illegal activities to anonymously provide information to Tasmania Police.

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmania-breaking-news-repeat-offenders-face-2000-charges/news-story/ca1fa62b215394ec14c314a86b1aea2c