A bushfire that ignited just 1km away from the main township of Strahan on Tasmania’s west coast was “deliberately lit”, according to investigators.
The blaze on Ocean Beach Road started around 12am on Monday morning and, as of Tuesday, had burned through approximately 172 hectares of bushland – a similar size to that of a recent bushfire in Dolphin Sands.
Firefighters from across the coast were working on ‘asset protection’ during the initial stages of the fire and say they successfully saved a house and vital communication infrastructure from being destroyed by the flames.
A tourist in the area at the time says she was parked at the Strahan Golf Club when the situation became “a bit too close for comfort”.
“There are about 12 vans parked here. I had a knock on the door just after midnight telling me and all caravans in area that there is a fire behind us,” Annie McMahon of Annie’s Lap of Australia Adventures wrote.
“[It was] bloody scary as it was very close.”
“I stayed awake and looked out the door every 15 minutes. I did pack a few valuables in case I couldn’t take the caravan.”
In a statement to Pulse, police said the fire was currently under investigation and efforts were continuing to fully extinguish the blaze.
“Tasmania Fire Service Fire Investigators have determined the fire was deliberately lit,” the spokesperson said.
They urged anyone with information about the fire to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Large Strahan bushfire puts homes and infrastructure at risk on west coast
A house and vital communication infrastructure have been saved from destruction by a large vegetation fire in Strahan on Tasmania’s West Coast overnight.
The blaze on Ocean Beach Road began around 12am on Monday, just 1km away from Strahan’s main township.
Firefighters from across the coast, including Zeehan and Queenstown, were called in to assist with the late night blaze, which the Strahan Fire Brigade described as requiring ‘a lot of hard work’ in “very difficult terrain”.
“We were able to save a house and vital communication infrastructure (all phone and internet services) with a lot of grit…and ALOT of hose,” the brigade said.
“Please note there will still be a lot of fire activity in the coming days, especially on the way to Zeehan from Strahan.”
Firefighters say they will return to the fireground today as they try to contain the blaze, the cause of which is not yet known.
