Historic Tasmanian building destroyed in fire, Missing George Town man, Injuries as car rolls on busy Hobart highway

Priceless memories went up in smoke on Saturday night , police say, after a historic 1860s building burnt down in a small Tasmanian village. LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>

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Historic building destroyed in fire, Southern Midlands

Sunday, Febuary 6

Priceless memories went up in smoke on Saturday morning, police say, after a historic 1860s building burnt down in the village of Whitefoord.

Glenorchy Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said the dollar value of the house was around $400,000, but that the sentimental value was immeasurable.

“It had some significant community attachment since it had previously acted as the telephone exchange, the post office song and the general store,” Inspector Morrisby said.

Tasmania Fire Service respond to house fire at Whitefoord. Picture: Tasmania Police.

“Whilst the value of the house is somewhere around $400,000, there are some broader costs that can’t be measured around the community’s attachment to that property.”

Fire investigators and forensic officers searched through the wreckage on Sunday, but the cause of the fire is undetermined due to the sheer extent of the damage.

MOURNFUL: Glenorchy Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said Saturday's fire was tragic for the whole Whitefoord community. Picture: Kenji Sato

However police say there is no reason to believe that the fire was lit deliberately.

The three residents - a husband, wife, and 16-year-old son - were not home at the time of the fire.

Breaking News Breaking News Tasmania Fire Service respond to house fire at Whitefoord. Picture: Supplied.

The husband was nearby in a paddock and he was able to see the smoke rising in the distance, prompting him to call the emergency services.

Another neighbour also saw the fire and called the fire brigade, but by the time they arrived the house was already fully engulfed in flames.

Missing man, George Town

Saturday, Febuary 5

Tasmania Police are continuing their search for missing man Anthony Vere Goodyer in the north of Tasmania following a possible sighting on Friday afternoon.

The 46-year-old was reportedly spotted near the weighbridge on the corner of East Tamar Highway and Bridport Road around 3pm.

Any motorists in the area that may have seen him, or have dash cam footage are being urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

Friday, February 4

Tasmania Police are searching for a man who vanished in Tasmania’s North yesterday afternoon.

Anthony Vere Goodyer was reported missing by concerned family and friends in George Town and was last seen leaving a home in Riverleads Drive around 5:30pm on Thursday.

Police are concerned for the 46-year-old’s welfare and believe that he doesn’t have access to a vehicle.

Breaking News Breaking News Missing man Anthony Vere Goodyer. Picture: Tasmania Police.

The local man is described as 172cm tall, slim with black hair and olive skin.

He was last seen wearing black track pants, a blue checked flannel top and tanned work boots.

Police would like anyone who has information in relation to the current whereabouts of Anthony to contact George Town Police on 6702 3900.

Injuries as car rolls on busy Hobart highway

Thursday, February 3

A man is in hospital after rolling his white Toyota Hilux ute on the Brooker Highway near Granton.

The driver was headed towards the city when they lost control of their ute and flipped it, receiving several injuries in the process.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene just after noon on Thursday.

A tow truck removes a vehicle from a crash on the Brooker Highway near Granton.

Removalists have since taken the ute off the highway, and the driver has been rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital.

The road was slick with rain around the time of the crash.

A Tasmania Police spokesperson said traffic was now clear on the city-bound lane towards Hobart.

“Motorists are advised that the Brooker Highway at Granton is now clear from an earlier single vehicle crash,” the spokesperson said.