Unit fire at Glenorchy causes $500,000 worth of damage

A woman’s life has been saved because of a working smoke alarm, say investigators into a blaze that caused half a million dollars worth of damage to a Glenorchy home on Tuesday night. INVESTIGATION >>

• PHOTOS: Inside uncovered Tassie drug bunker
• Tasman Hwy reopening: Businesses brace for potential delays

A WOMAN’S life was saved because she had a working smoke alarm installed, say investigators into a blaze that engulfed a home in Hobart’s northern suburbs on Tuesday night.

The occupant of the unit in Kensington St, Glenorchy was woken by a loud bang and the sound of her smoke alarm just before 9pm.

She escaped uninjured and called triple-0.

Tasmania Fire Service regional fire investigator Tim McKay said the circumstances were a stark reminder of having working smoke alarms fitted.

“It’s accurate to say that this is another example of a life being saved by having a working smoke alarm installed,’’ he said.

“The woman was alerted to the fire by the sound of the smoke alarm and was able to evacuate before the fire took hold.

Emergency services at the scene of a blaze that engulfed a unit and car on Kensington Street in Glenorchy. Pic: Cameron Whiteley.

“You can’t smell smoke when you’re asleep, so you are relying on your other senses to alert you to a fire.

“Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping area, at the top of stairs and in hallways.”

Fire crews remained at the property for much of the day on Wednesday and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, though it is not considered suspicious.

The TFS said a cause was unlikely to be determined due to the extent of the damage to the property.

The estimated damage from the blaze has been put at about $500,000. The fire also destroyed a car while a neighbouring property was under threat before being successfully protected.

The TFS said the fire briefly trapped three people — the occupant of the unit on fire and two occupants of a neighbouring property — who fled to a cul-de-sac but were trapped in the area by radiant heat and fire.

Firefighters used a water spray and shielded them from the heat to allow them to evacuate to a safe place.

Crews were supported by a fire tanker from Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade due to difficulties accessing the local water supply.

The fire was brought under control in three hours.