Decisions Aided Hobart Fires

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31381, 29 May 1967, Page 13

Decisions Aided Hobart Fires

fN.Z. Press Association—Copyright*

HOBART, May 28.

But for two decisions on the morning of February 7, the fires which swept through Hobart might have been prevented.

The Minister for Forests, Mr S. Ward, told Parliament last week that at 8 a.m. on February 7, local residents reported two or three small fires burning in Glenorchy, a Hobart suburb. At 10 a.m., the caretaker of the -eserve and four men inspected the fire and it was reported to be “of no immediate danger.” At 10.45 a.m. a unit of the I'obart Fire Brigade went to the fire and reported it to be out of its area.

“The decision of the people who went to the fire and the Hobart Fire Brigade were the most costly in the history of Tasmania,” Mr Ward said. “The total damage from this fire could easily be as high as £4.8 million.” Mr Ward said the fire eventually razed 16,500 acres, burnt 418 houses, 24 cottages. 16 fiats, 15 shacks, four public halls, three factories and 40 other buildings, including a post office, a broadcasting : station, a church, a school and itwo hotels.