Police are investigating three significant fire outbreaks in the Strahan area on New Year’s Eve.
Shortly after midnight, Tasmania Fire Service was called to three separate fires in and around Strahan.
Investigations suggest the fires were caused by the unlawful discharging of flares from several locations across Strahan, and the matter is now being investigated by police.
Sergeant Danny Jackson said the incident had the potential to put homes and infrastructure at risk.
“These flares usually used by marine vessels in distress, can reach altitudes of up to 300 meters and burn for around 40 seconds. This means the flares, if fired over land, have a significant likelihood of causing a fire if they fall onto combustible material,” he said.
“This behaviour not only creates the need for a significant emergency services response, leaving other towns with limited resources, but also causes alarm within the community and has the potential to impact homes and businesses in the area as well as threatening wildlife and the environment.
“Police remind the public it is an offence to activate an emergency distress flare unless during a genuine emergency.”
Anyone with information about those responsible should contact police.
Investigators are particularly interested in any CCTV or mobile phone footage capturing the offences.
Several of the flares were observed being discharged within the township of Strahan at midnight and from West Strahan beach during the early hours of the morning.
Information can be provided by contacting police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.
