UPDATED: The Mercury reports that the damage from this morning’s fire at Carinya has been estimated to be about $500,000 and the matter has been handed over to Tasmania Police.
ORIGINAL 1.30AM REPORT: The former high school hostel in Blair St, New Norfolk, was again in flames this morning (Sunday), only weeks after an arson attack saw one part of the complex demolished.
The Tasmania Fire Service reported shortly after midnight that it had been alerted to a building fire in Blair St via multiple Triple Zero calls. Multiple vehicles and about 20 firefighters from the New Norfolk, Magra and Bridgewater fire brigades were soon on the scene.
PREVIOUSLY:
FIRE DAMAGES OLD HIGH SCHOOL HOSTEL
HOSTEL SET FOR DEMOLITION AFTER ARSON ATTACK
This latest fire was in a dormitory building at the former Carinya Hostel. The building is the furthest from the road and closer to Kensington Park.
The blaze appeared to have started in one of the bedrooms at the rear of the building and firefighters said it had probably been burning for some time before the first calls were received.
The same facility, located behind New Norfolk High School, was badly damaged in a deliberately-lit fire on October 10. That incident resulted in a demolition of a portion of a building once used as a kitchen and laundry. Contrary to expectations, the large commercial kitchen was not demolished.
Top photo: New Norfolk Fire Brigade chief officer Mark Lusted attacks a hot spot after the main incident.
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