10.10AM UPDATE: Tasmania Fire Service and other emergency services remain at the scene of Tungatinah Power Station this morning, following a significant fire overnight. TFS Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said the fire was reported shortly after an alarm activated at the facility at 8.37pm.
“Our firefighting crews were on scene within 27 minutes of the initial alarm and were confronted with a complex and challenging incident upon arrival,” he said. “When crews arrived, the fire had spread throughout the building, and the structure was already in the early stages of collapse.”
“I would like to acknowledge the work of our volunteer firefighters, who were the initial responders to what was a confronting incident involving a number of significant safety risks. Importantly, I am pleased to advise no injuries occurred.”
“At the height of the response, approximately 45 personnel from Tasmania Fire Service and the State Emergency Service were deployed to the incident. Firefighting crews were supported by specialist resources from Hobart and Launceston brigades, including aerial appliances and drone capability.”
Mr Lowe said crews successfully contained the fire overnight, and work was now underway to make the scene safe to allow specialist personnel, including fire scene examiners, to access the site.
“Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing,” he said. “We are hopeful of providing some preliminary findings later today; however, the size of the site and the varying stages of structural collapse present additional challenges.”
Emergency services, including Tasmania Fire Service, Tasmania Police, Hydro Tasmania and TasNetworks, remain at the site undertaking monitoring, assessment and recovery activities. The extent of damage to the structure is still being assessed.
Tasmania Police Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said road closures remain in place around the incident area. “Local residents are still able to access Bradys Lake; however, we are asking all other members of the public to stay away from the area while emergency services continue making the site safe,” he said.
Traffic diversions remain in place on the Lyell Highway between Victoria Valley Hill Road on the northern side and Fourteen Mile Road on the southern side. “At this stage the road closure is expected to remain in place for at least the next 24 hours, and motorists should monitor TasALERT for the latest information on road closures and traffic diversions.”
EARLIER: PHOTOS of last night’s power station fire at Tarraleah have been released by the Tasmania Fire Service, showing that Hydro Tasmania’s Tungatinah station appears to have been gutted.
About 45 firefighters were involved, with big numbers of volunteers from local brigades of the Central Highlands and Derwent Valley.
Crews remain on site and the TFS says the building is in various states of collapse. The Lyell Hwy is likely to remain closed at the scene today.
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