Community at risk due to uncontrolled fire in state’s North

A man is in custody over the Lulworth bushfire as police continue to investigate the cause of bushfires in the state’s North.

A WATCH and act alert has been issued for a bushfire near Lefroy in the state’s North-East. PICTURE: WARREN FREY / TFS

UPDATE 10PM: A MAN remains in police custody as police continue to investigate the cause of bushfires in the state’s North.

A 20-year-old male from Mayfield was taken into custody in the Beechford area yesterday in relation to the investigation of setting fire to vegetation and other matters.

The male was charged with offences including armed robbery, motor vehicle stealing, aggravated burglary, unlawfully setting fire to property and destroying property.

He was detained to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police said the charges related to alleged incidents in the Rocherlea and Stoney Head areas

on Saturday.

Police were continuing investigations in relation to the fires in the Lulworth and Lefroy areas.

Members of the public who witnessed suspicious activity in the areas of Stoney Head, Lulworth and Lefroy are urged to contact police.

Watch and act alerts were issued for a bushfire near Lulworth and another at Lefroy yesterday.

Both warnings were downgraded to advice level last night.

Very high fire danger is forecast for Tasmania’s East Coast on Monday.

MORE NEWS: SERVO STABBING VICTIM DIES IN HOSPITAL

UPDATE 5.30PM: A WATCH and act alert has been issued for a bushfire near Lefroy in the state’s North-East. The alert issued by the Tasmania Fire Service at 5.13pm said the area around Bridport Rd between Back Creek Rd and Lefroy Rd was at high risk.

Residents are advised to activate their bushfires plans or leave for a safer place.

Meanwhile a 20-year-old Mayfield man has been taken in to police custody following allegations the bushfire at Lulworth was deliberately lit.

Tasmania Police said investigations into the allegations were continuing.

The fire near Lulworth remains at watch and act level.

UPDATE 2PM: AN out-of-control bushfire burning in the state’s North likely didn’t start of natural causes, the Tasmanian Fire Service says.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a 250ha fire placing the small coastal community of Lulworth at risk.

Sixty crews were tackling the blaze on Sunday afternoon, including five aircraft.

TFS regional chief North Ian Bounds said.

“Investigations will continue through Monday, but at this stage it’s not believed to have started by natural causes,” he said.

Mr Bounds said the fire, now at Watch and Act level, was proving difficult for crews to control.

He said people should stay away from the Lulworth area while crews worked to contain the blaze.

For updates, listen to ABC Local Radio or visit www.fire.tas.gov.au

EARLIER: AN uncontrolled fire raging in the state’s North is placing the small coastal community of Lulworth at risk.

At 8pm, Tasmania Fire Service warned that the Maitland Bay vegetation fire would put Lulworth and nearby Tam O’Shanter Bay at high risk.

Residents are reminded that embers, smoke and ash falling on the town and bay could threaten houses earlier than the main fire.

The TFS advise that if your home is well prepared and actively defended, it could provide shelter. But if your family has a bushfire survival plan, to use it now.

There is no evacuation centre near the fire at the moment.

For updates, listed to ABC Local Radio or visit www.fire.tas.gov.au