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Tasmania breaking news: Hobart TFS crews respond to Giblin St, Lenah Valley fire

Multiple emergency services units have responded to a residential fire in Hobart’s north. The fire is under control, but a pet cat remains unaccounted for.

Tasmania Police has renewed its push to find out what became of missing Launceston 66-year-old Bruce Fairfax. Picture: File
Tasmania Police has renewed its push to find out what became of missing Launceston 66-year-old Bruce Fairfax. Picture: File

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.

‘We saw smoke’: Crews respond to Hobart residential fire

November 4, 2.15pm: Emergency services have responded to a residential fire at Lenah Valley, in Hobart’s north.

The fire occurred on Giblin St, Lenah Valley, at about 1.45pm.

According to a brief TasALERT notice issued at 1.48pm, Tasmania Fire Service crews from Hobart Fire Brigade discovered a “bedroom on fire on the second story” upon their arrival.

“Further information will be provided when available,” the alert said.

Residential fire at Giblin St, Lenah Valley, November 4, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy
Residential fire at Giblin St, Lenah Valley, November 4, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

The Mercury witnessed two fire units, an ambulance and a police vehicle at the scene.

Multiple people were seen conversing with emergency services officers on the kerb outside the residence.

Residential fire at Giblin St, Lenah Valley, November 4, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy
Residential fire at Giblin St, Lenah Valley, November 4, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

Two women a few houses down the street told the Mercury they both witnessed smoke issuing for the house.

They estimated that emergency services arrived to the scene at approximately 1.45pm, with the first smoke seen about 10 minutes earlier.

Residential fire at Giblin St, Lenah Valley, November 4, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy
Residential fire at Giblin St, Lenah Valley, November 4, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

Driver cut from vehicle and flown to hospital after losing control

November 4, 10.30am: A man from the Northern Midlands has been airlifted by helicopter to the Royal Hobart Hospital after being cut from his vehicle when it crashed into a tree.

The 42-year-old received non-life threatening injuries in the accident on Lake Road near Lake Leake, east of Campbell Town, about 11.30pm on Friday.

Emergency services personnel including the SES rushed to the scene.

“The man was extricated from the vehicle by members from SES and Ambulance Tasmania, before being transported to the helicopter,” a police spokesperson said.

“Initial investigations suggest the man lost control of his vehicle on a right-hand bend of the gravel road, colliding with a tree.”

Police are investigating the accident and have asked anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.

Geeveston man charged after alleged drink driving crash

November 3: A Geeveston man who allegedly crashed his car on a key Tasmanian thoroughfare has been charged with drink driving.

Police say the 37-year-old man allegedly crashed his vehicle into another car on Main St in Huonville at about 4.10pm on Wednesday.

The vehicle left the scene of the crash and was later intercepted by police near Castle Forbes Bay.

The driver, the Geeveston man, returned a blood-alcohol reading of .100.

He was charged with offences including exceed .05, drive while disqualified and fail to remain at the scene of a crash.

Tasmania Police say his car was clammed for three months, and his licence was disqualified for 12 months, the period of which will begin at the end of his current disqualification.

He will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court in December.

Man arrested in relation to cash register theft

Updated, November 2: A middle-aged man has been taken into custody in relation to an armed robbery at a business in the northwest yesterday.

Tasmania Police say the 39-year-old man had been arrested and taken into custody, but no charges had been laid at this stage.

November 1, 9:40am

Police are on the hunt for a man who stole a cash register in a morning robbery at William St, Devonport on Wednesday.

Authorities say he was last seen fleeing up Oldaker Street, towards Lindsay Place and Parker Street, Devonport.

“He may be carrying a cash register,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.

Police have released images of a man who stole a cash register in Devonport. Image: Tasmania Police
Police have released images of a man who stole a cash register in Devonport. Image: Tasmania Police
Police have released images of a man who stole a cash register in Devonport. Image: Tasmania Police
Police have released images of a man who stole a cash register in Devonport. Image: Tasmania Police

The man is described as being in his mid to late 30s, with “slight ginger” facial hair. He is believed to be wearing light grey pants, a grey hoodie, black gloves, dark sunglasses, and black shoes with a white logo.

Police have warned anyone who sees the man to avoid approaching him and to instead call Crimestoppers or Tasmania Police (131 444).

Stolen digger towed from Devonport to near Kingston: Police

October 31, 5.10pm: A 35-year-old Mountain River man has been arrested and charged with burglary and stealing following the burglary of a Devonport business on 23 October.

It is alleged that the man entered the business about 1.30am and proceeded to steal a number of items, including an excavator.

Detective Senior Constable Rory Carmichael said information was received from members of the public that the stolen property had been towed to a property in Mountain River near Kingston.

“Police attended a property in Mountain River [on Tuesday] morning and recovered the stolen property that is estimated to be valued at more than $60,000.”

“We would like to thank members of the public for their assistance and information provided that assisted in the successful resolution of this matter,” said Detective Senior Constable Carmichael.

The man will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.

CBD real estate agency targeted in vandalism attack

October 31, 9.30am: A man has allegedly caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage after taking a hammer to the windows of a northern real-estate agency office in broad daylight.

The 28-year-old man destroyed shopfront windows of the Cimitiere St, Launceston office at about 4.30pm on Monday, October 30, police say.

Tasmania Police allege that at the time of what they allege was a “deliberate” act of vandalism, the office was open and several members of staff were inside.

The Agency on Cimitiere St, Launceston was allegedly targeted in a daylight vandalism attack while staff were inside. A 28yo man has been charged by Tasmania Police. Photo: Alex Treacy
The Agency on Cimitiere St, Launceston was allegedly targeted in a daylight vandalism attack while staff were inside. A 28yo man has been charged by Tasmania Police. Photo: Alex Treacy

“ … The man used a hammer to smash a number of large plate glass windows at the front of the building, along with a glass electric door,” Tasmania Police allege.

“Damage is estimated to be in the vicinity of $80,000 due to the size and structure of the windows.”

There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident, and police believe the man was known to staff of the business.

He was charged and will appear in Launceston Magistrates Court in December.

Police are appealing to anyone that may have footage of the incident to contact police on 6777 3945 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Renewed push to find Tasmanian teacher missing for six years

October 30, 10.20am: Tasmania Police says it continues to investigate the disappearance of Launceston man Bruce Fairfax in 2017, with the matter officially “now a criminal investigation”.

The 66-year-old was reported missing from the Duckhole Lake Track area at Strathblane in Southern Tasmania on Saturday 14 October, 2017.

Despite extensive searches of the area at the time, he was never located.

His disappearance is now being investigated by Kingston CIB.

Missing Launceston man Bruce Fairfax who disappeared at Duckhole Lake track, south of Dover. This photo was taken of him shortly before he disappeared. Picture: Twitter
Missing Launceston man Bruce Fairfax who disappeared at Duckhole Lake track, south of Dover. This photo was taken of him shortly before he disappeared. Picture: Twitter

Detective Acting Inspector Michael Foster said as part of the ongoing investigation, police would be reinterviewing old witnesses and calling for any new information from the public.

“As with any missing persons investigation, the case remains open until we find answers,” he said.

“While this is now a criminal investigation, our detectives have not ruled anything out, and will consider all possibilities relating to Bruce’s disappearance.

“We urge anyone with new information to come forward and provide it to police.”

Detectives will provide further information in a press conference at 2pm.

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-tasmania/tasmania-breaking-news-bruce-fairfax-disappearance-in-2017-now-a-criminal-investigation/news-story/9fd13ad6b2a8cfae7f9b5408bc72b03d