20 replies to this topic

[Shane V]

There was a huge fire over night in Queenstown. it started at the old BP service station and spread to surrounding shops. I'm not sure of the extent of the damage as yet. I havent heard if there are any injuries or not...there were quite a few explosions and it is reportedly deliberately lit.

[englishdamsel]

An earthquake and a fire... Just having a little panic attack here in Sydney! Thought I was moving somewhere with less stress?? LOL

Do you know which coffee shop was burned?

[Mystic]

Damn. Thought I could hear explosions around 2am this morning.

No real coffee shops in that area englishdamsel, but the miners hut take away is close by

EDIT: - Just read in the paper that it was the Miners Hut take away, next door that was also destroyed. Only other damage being reported at the moment is to windows of the Empire Hotel across the road.

[Shane V]

I heard last night there was smoke damage to surrounding buildings, windows broken in the newsagent and the Mt Lyell.
Its usually pretty quiet here englishdamsel Don't stress.

[dave]

nasty!!!, do you have your own fire appliances or did they come in from another area!

[englishdamsel]

Thanks for that... not the one I was thinking of buying then.

Mystic, on 19 April 2011 - 10:05 AM, said:

Damn. Thought I could hear explosions around 2am this morning.

No real coffee shops in that area englishdamsel, but the miners hut take away is close by

EDIT: - Just read in the paper that it was the Miners Hut take away, next door that was also destroyed. Only other damage being reported at the moment is to windows of the Empire Hotel across the road.

Thanks, no point in worrying now - I'm committed to the move now. Deal with it when I get there I suppose!

Shane V, on 19 April 2011 - 11:19 AM, said:

I heard last night there was smoke damage to surrounding buildings, windows broken in the newsagent and the Mt Lyell.
Its usually pretty quiet here englishdamsel Don't stress.

Some great shots there! Yours?

Shane V, on 19 April 2011 - 06:53 AM, said:

There was a huge fire over night in Queenstown. it started at the old BP service station and spread to surrounding shops. I'm not sure of the extent of the damage as yet. I havent heard if there are any injuries or not...there were quite a few explosions and it is reportedly deliberately lit.

MINE7653.jpg

MINE7663.jpg

MINE7667.jpg

MINE7668.jpg

MINE7670.jpg

MINE7677.jpg

MINE7686.jpg

MINE7697.jpg

MINE7705.jpg

[Mystic]

Just got back from town, having a look and taking a few shots of the damage. Miners Hut take away was wiped out, new clothing shop that only opened a week ago has a lot of damage, chemist has smoke damage. Windows damaged on the Empire Hotel, and their gaming room ceiling has caved in. Little bit of window damage to the Mt Lyell hotel, and the mechanics shop has been obliterated.

Lots of stories around town about the circumstances, and it was apparently arson.

Yep, we do have our own fire tenders Dave, but others were also called in.

[Mystic]

A few shots of the aftermath...

[Shane V]

Cool shots Mystic...need to go through mine and will put them up when done.

Yep Damsel...my shots. I couldn't help myself...have camera will go to shot producing events . Not that this is a good thing, but it did make for some speccy images.

[midgetyone]

Hmmmm sad sad sad. Thoughts to all who were affected.

[Daviesgang]

[url="http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/9224030/massive-blast-rips-through-tasmanian-town/"]http://au.news.yahoo...tasmanian-town/ [/url]

This is the information that we got about it in Perth. I hope everyone is ok. It looks pretty full on.




Massive blast rips through Tasmanian town
ABC April 19, 2011, 9:15 am User submitted © Enlarge photo



One person was blown through a window and others ran for cover when explosions and fire ripped through central Queenstown on Tasmania's west coast early this morning.

It is believed the fire began in a mechanic's workshop on Orr Street about 1:00am (AEST) before engulfing at least six buildings.

Four buildings were destroyed and the other two were badly damaged before fire crews managed to bring the fire under control.

The blaze caused several explosions which sent debris and glass flying into the street, and witnesses say one man was blown through a window by a massive explosion.

The man is now in hospital.

Four businesses and three cars were also engulfed by the flames, and district officer for the fire service Jodi Armstrong says a big explosion before the blaze shattered windows in shops along the street.

He says all the windows in the Empire Hotel facing the blaze were smashed.

"The potential for this fire was that it could have taken out most of the main street of Queenstown," he said.

Rachael Brown from the Empire Hotel was over the road when the fire triggered the blasts, and says she was forced to run for cover.

"It was like something in a movie, you just ducked, put your hands over your head and just run, I never thought that'd be me but that's exactly what it was like," she said.

Units from Tulla, Strahan, Zeehan, Rosebery and Burnie rushed to join Queenstown firefighters, and the scene has been cordoned off by police and fire investigators.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, and investigations will be launched tomorrow morning.

[Shane V]

I heard the first explosion and thought it was thunder, but when the noises persisted I had to check it out. I do have a good vantage point to observe the town from and it was scarey but also exciting to see the flames rising. I was hoping that it wasn't the Empire or the Paragon theatre, because they are on the same block and both are beautiful buildings as well as icons of the town. I also felt very sad because this is a small community and it has and will hit the people hard, but there are many here who are helping the owners of the businesses affected.
I went down town yesterday and got some shots of the aftermath.

[Cascade]

Some good shots from our "on the ground" reporters.

[Shane V]

Thanks Cascade

[Daviesgang]

Apparently someone has been charged with arson over this incident.

http://www.themercur...mania-news.html



Queenstown arson charge
Staff Reporters | April 20, 2011 01.57pm

A 46-YEAR-OLD Queenstown man has been charged with arson following yesterday morning's massive blaze.

Police laid the charge today in relation to the fire that destroyed five shops and damaged many others in the town.

The man will appear in Burnie Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Those photos are just awesome!!

[Mystic]

From the stories we had heard around town I am not surprised they grabbed a person so quickly and I hope he learns a valuable lesson as a result

[Mystic]

Quote

Peter John Capell, 46, appeared in the Burnie Magistrates Court yesterday charged with arson and perverting the course of justice.

Mr Capell did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody. The perverting the course of justice charge relates to an alleged threat to a Queenstown business owner if assault charges against Mr Capell were not dropped.

Seems the rumours we heard the day after the fire were true

[exislegirl]

Great on-the-spot coverage from both of you, Shane & Mystic!

However, it is very sad that such a thing has occurred.

Natalie

[Shane V]

Thanks Natalie...It is an unfortunate event, but the people around town are still being positive...after all we are west coasters A tough bunch.

[shanep]

after all we are west coasters A tough bunch.

Thats for sure Shane