POLICE HUNT CLAREMONT ARSONISTS

A CLUSTER of vehicles destroyed in a night time arson attack has prompted a police plea for information to assist with investigations.

Detectives from Glenorchy CIB were on Wednesday investigating the circumstances of four cars being deliberately set alight at Main Rd Claremont after 9pm on Tuesday.

The incident followed another car fire at Bonnet Hill on Tuesday night and preceded a Wednesday morning vehicle blaze at Austins Ferry.

It is not known if the Bonnet Hill or Austins Ferry car fires were deliberate or accidental.

Tasmania Police Detective inspector Troy Morrisby said early investigations into the multiple-vehicle Claremont Rd blaze indicated arsonists targeted one vehicle before the blaze grew to destroy three other surrounding cars.

A man described in his late 20s or early 30s approximately 175cm tall wearing a black and white spray jacket, with a grey hooded jacket underneath, black track pants and blonde, mullet-styled hair, was seen near the blaze carrying a jerry can.

Tasmania Fire Service crews attended the scene and extinguished the fire.

There were no injuries reported in the blaze which is said to have caused about $20,000 damage.

Insp Morrisby said witnesses to the blaze were crucial in providing officers with a description of a person of interest.

He said Tasmanians should be aware of the dangers of car fires, and should remain at least 30m away from a vehicle that’s ablaze to avoid injury.

“The best thing people can do is call triple-0 if it’s an emergency because that would enable emergency services to address the situation safely,” he said.

“Vehicle arson is a very serious crime and it’s got significant impacts on victims and people who own cars — obviously on most occasions, we have cars set alight when stolen to conceal evidence. This makes it hard to prosecute offenders.”

Claremont resident Kelvin Ball who witnessed the car burn at Austins Ferry yesterday said he had seen four incidents of cars ablaze in Hobart’s northern suburbs in the past six months.

“I could see the smoke from quite a distance away while out walking about 6.30am on Wednesday so I thought I would see what was happening,” he said.

“It looked like it wasn’t long lit but was fully engulfed and really hot. I didn’t want to to get too close, in case it exploded. The tyres did explode while I was there which gave a fright.”

TasPol figures show there were 392 arson-related offences across 2019-20.

Mr Morrisby said authorities had not seen an increase in vehicle fires in recent months and suggested reducing arson attacks was incumbent on members of the public heeding educational advice.

“Over the years, the best way to influence behaviour normally is by educating people when they’re younger and the TFS do a lot in this space at schools where they try and teach kids about dangers,” he said.

“But when you’re talking about grown adults, it’s a bit more difficult to change behaviours — there are rehabilitation programs, but unfortunately someone has to be caught and charged before that can be enforced.”

I DIDN’T WANT TO TO GET TOO CLOSE, IN CASE IT EXPLODED. THE TYRES DID EXPLODE WHILE I WAS THERE WHICH GAVE A FRIGHT.

CAR FIRE WITNESS KELVIN BALL