Tas: Arsonists attack heritage building - fire officer

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2006
Tas: Arsonists attack heritage building - fire officer

HOBART, Dec 10 AAP - A gang of arsonists have attacked a Tasmanian heritage-listed
building, lighting six fires but causing little damage.

Tasmania Fire Service district officer Rob Deverell said youths were believed to have
deliberately lit the fires inside and outside of Waratah Community Hall in Tasmania's
west about 6.30pm (AEDT) yesterday.

The hall is more than 100 years old and its community recently spent thousands of dollars
renovating the historic building.

Four fire units attended the scene and damage to its structure was avoided, Mr Deverell said.

"Police are carrying out further investigations," Mr Deverell said.

"The community recently raised $20,000 to renovate the hall.

"At the moment the community is very small and they are about to start up a couple
of mines in the town so this would have been a blow to them if had been lost."

AAP jat/jt/cdh

KEYWORD: WARATAH

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