ABC NEWS STATES “An overnight fire which destroyed a ward at the former Royal Derwent Hospital in southern Tasmania will not be investigated. Crews were called to the scene about midnight and found the building well alight.
District Officer Gerald Crawford says it is about the eighth fire at the historic hospital in the past three years. “The number of fires we’ve had there in the last 12 months has certainly increased.” “Whether that’s deliberate or malicious it is hard to determine. “The buildings are completely vacant.
“There’s no infrastructure remaining in the building and they’re far too dangerous for the brigade personnel to enter the buildings to do any fire fighting in them,” he said.
Mr Crawford says there is no evidence as to who has been lighting previous fires.
“Because our meeting with Tasmania Police some time ago it was determined that any investigation would probably come up with very little evidence and chances of succeeding a prosecution now is virtually nil.”
Mr Crawford says Southern Water has been contacted about the poor water pressure at the site.”
Nick Jarvis
