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Friday, September 11, 2026

Alleged arsonist charged over 11 fires across northern Tasmania

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A fire truck parked on a highway with smoke obscuring the sky behind it.

It took multiple fire crews to contain the Breadalbane fire alongside the Midland Highway earlier this year. (ABC News)

A man has been charged with arson and other offences in relation to 11 separate fires in northern Tasmania, including a significant blaze that destroyed power poles and took 20 fire crews to contain.

Tasmania Police charged a 29-year-old Nile man with arson earlier this year over a fire at a public toilet block in the town of Perth.

Longford Police and the Tasmania Fire Service have been investigating a spate of fires between August 2025 and April 2026 spanning from Perth to Ulverstone.

Police have now charged him in relation to other allegedly deliberately lit fires, including at Longford, Sassafras, Whitemore and Breadalbane.

The Breadalbane fire burnt through thick gorse and vegetation alongside the Midland Highway on April 20.

Smoke rises over trees and shrubs.

Police said the Breadalbane fire damaged local power infrastructure. (ABC News)

Police described the fire as "significant", saying it resulted in power poles being destroyed and local power outages.

There were no injuries.

Inspector Craig Fox said the Breadalbane fire had placed the public at risk.

He said investigations into other fires were ongoing.

"We are continuing to look at several fires within the region," Inspector Fox said.

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