Fires baffle ex-owner

THE former owner of two Hobart homes forfeited to authorities under unexplained wealth laws has denied knowing who caused their fiery destruction.

Tasmania Police are investigating Friday’s suspected arson in Goodwood Rd, Goodwood, and an arson in Fourth Ave, West Moonah, last month.

One line of inquiry is whether the homes were set on fire by a supporter of the former owner in retaliation for their seizures.

The properties were forfeited by a woman in April after an unexplained wealth action started several years ago.

But the woman said she had no knowledge as to who might have started the fires.

“How the hell do I know? I haven’t been to Fourth Ave since Christmas. I signed everything away to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions],” she said.

The woman said she had her own legitimate business.

The woman said she and her husband were raided by police in 2013 and had property seized.

She said she provided financial statements to police and the Australian Crime Commission to get some of her assets back.

“In the end, I said just take the two houses, give me back my cars that’s all I want,” she said.

“They gave me back my house and shed [and cars].”

Property records show the homes were bought by the woman from family early last decade.

Unexplained wealth laws allow authorities to seize property without the owner being convicted of a crime if they are unable to prove the assets were acquired lawfully.

It is believed this was the first time residential properties had been forfeited under the laws introduced in 2013.

The houses, both insured, were being prepared for sale by the State Government when they were deliberately set on fire.

Acting Sergeant Ricki Eaves said it appeared accelerants had been used in the most recent fire.

Police would speak to people this week and he expected two charges of arson would be laid.

“Obviously it is bit of a coincidence that both houses, stripped from the same party, were both damaged by fire just before they were sold,” he said.