Fire alert evacuates airport

Passengers queue to be security screened before re-entering the departure lounge after the evacuation. Pictures: KIM EISZELE

PASSENGERS at Hobart Airport were evacuated yesterday afternoon after a small fire above the terminal's cafe resulted in delays to departing flights.

At 1.28pm a faulty electrical unit began to smoulder, sending smoke into the airport's air-conditioning system and triggering the alarm system.

No injuries were reported.

Hobart airport general manager airline marketing and corporate affairs, Melinda Percival, said the incident caused minimal delays on a busy weekend for the Hobart gateway.

"Just before 1.30pm this afternoon the fire alarm was triggered at Hobart airport" Ms Percival said.

"As per the normal procedure the terminal and any passengers on the apron area were evacuated.

"Unfortunately two flights were delayed by up to one hour and 15 minutes.

"The alarm was tripped due to a fault in an electrical box that caused the box to smoulder and set off the alarm system."

Rokeby man Glen Nutting, who was headed for Brisbane, said airport staff remained calm throught the incident.

"We were just waiting and then 'emergency, emergency' came over the loud speaker, and then we were told to evacuate," Mr Nutting said.

"There were 200 or so people waiting outside. But there we plenty of airport personnel there."

duncan.abey@news.com.au

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Search for missing man, child

A SEARCH is under way in the waters off Bicheno after a man and child were swept of rocks earlier this evening.

Police received a call from a member of the public around 5pm, after the pair were reportedly swept off rocks near a local boat ramp.

Police vehicles, a police vessel and the Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter are attending the area.

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Police seek tattooed man

POLICE are seeking a Hobart man with a distinctive facial tattoo who may be able to assist in a serious crime inquiry.

David Ian Coles, 34, is described as being 180cm tall and of a medium build with brown eyes and slightly receding brown hair.

Mr Coles has a large tribal-style facial tattoo on the right side of his face.

Anyone who may be aware of Mr Coles's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Nicholas Preshaw on 6230 2111 or 131 444 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Nude dude tests the waters

THE River Derwent will become a sea of naked humanity at sunrise tomorrow when hundreds of courageous souls take the plunge for the first annual Dark MOFO Nude Solstice Swim.

About 350 people will get their gear off to make a splash at Sandy Bay's Long Beach Reserve at 7.42am.

An hour later, about 70 more modest bathers will don togs and dive in for the "prude swim".

While 650 people applied to take part in the nude swim, numbers had to be limited for health and safety reasons.

Sydneysider Ryan Batt, who will be among the naked crew, had a quick paddle today to test the waters.

The 30-year-old bar manager said he was expecting it to be far worse.

"I like to come down (to Tassie) but I have never been in winter," Mr Batt said.

"I saw all the Dark MOFO stuff on and thought 'why not?'

"When I first heard about the nude swim I put my name down.

"I was only told I was in about a week ago. I think they had a bit more demand than they were expecting.

"It won't be a long swim but I will get properly wet. You have to submerge yourself I suppose."

With the air temperature set to drop below 3C overnight and the water temperature expected to be about 12C tomorrow, hypothermia could be an issue.

But up to 30 surf lifesavers some with specialist medical skills, defibrillators and oxygen will be on site to ensure no one comes to grief.

The Nude Solstice Swim kicks off a huge day of Dark MOFO action, which also includes the HCC Winter Feast at PW1 and the Satanalia concert at MAC2. Both events start at 4pm.

Read more in the Saturday Mercury ...

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TV likely cause of house fire

A TELEVISION left in standby mode is believed to be the cause of a $250,000 house fire in Bothwell.

The Tasmania Fire Service today issued a public warning over dangers posed by electrical appliances after fire destroyed a Bothwell home, in the Central Highlands, in a matter of minutes.

Crews were called to the Logan St residence just after 9am yesterday but it was too late to save the house.

A TFS spokesman said the property's tenant had only left home 20 minutes before he and a colleague noticed the flames from their workplace across the road.

The fire was well advanced by the time the Bothwell Fire Brigade arrived and the firefighters had to focus their efforts on protecting a room containing firearms and ammunition.

"The Tasmania Fire Service would like to remind the community that electrical appliances that are left in 'standby' do have the potential to start fires," a TFS spokesman said.

"We therefore recommend that all appliances be switched off at the power point when not in use."

zara.dawtrey@news.com.au

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Crash blocks Lyell Hwy

POLICE advise there has been a crash between a van and a truck on the Lyell Highway south of New Norfolk.

No injuries have been reported but the road is blocked and traffic is being diverted.

In a statement issued about 3.15pm today, police urged motorists to avoid the area if possible.

-UPDATE-

As of 4.10pm Tasmania Police have advised the highway is open to traffic again.

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'I'd just lost half my ear'

A MAN has recounted having his ear bitten off and spat out in front of horrified workers at a Hobart business.

Dion Cragg told the Supreme Court he didn't realise what had happened until he heard a woman scream out: "His ear's on the floor".

Jake James Smith, 22, of Kingston has pleaded not guilty to wounding Mr Cragg in Liverpool Street on January 25, 2012.

Mr Cragg was returning his disabled daughter to his ex-partner after an access visit and had just got off a bus from Launceston when a fight broke out.

He told the court a man named Jason called him a "deadbeat father" and kicked him before Mr Smith came at him "throwing haymakers".

The pair grappled with each other and tumbled through the front door of a business.

"We were locked together and fell through the closed doors," Mr Cragg said.

"We both landed on the carpet. Jake landed on top of me, I was face down.

"I was saying 'let me up, let's fight like men'.

"That's when he latched on and took a chunk out of my ear. Between falling down and him taking a bite would have been 15 to 20 seconds.

"He instantaneously bit it, then spat it out.

"I heard a lady scream. I didn't really feel it. She said: 'His ear's on the floor'. I put my hand up and felt the blood."

Mr Cragg said Mr Smith pulled the hood up on his top and fled.

"I picked my ear up off the floor. I had a pair of army camouflage pants on. I wrapped it in a bit of tissue and put it in my pocket."

He said he then had a beer.

Under cross examination by defence lawyer Kim Baumeler, Mr Cragg denied being aggressive while on the bus but admitted he was expecting a confrontation when he arrived because he had changed childcare arrangements with his former partner.

He admitted being very upset in the aftermath of the fight.

"I was very agitated -- I'd just lost half my ear," he said.

The jury was shown graphic photographs of Mr Cragg's injuries and bloodstains spattered liberally around the business where the fight took place.

The trial, before Justice Stephen Estcourt, is expected to finish tomorrow.

david.killick@news.com.au

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Firies prevent Tassal fire

FIRE crews acted quickly to avert a potentially serious fire at Margate this morning.

A Tasmania Fire Service spokesman said a Tassal worker noticed a burning smell in one of the company's chiller rooms.

He said it was suspected an electrical fault in a fan unit caused arcing in the wiring.

The fault had the potential to ignite styrofoam insulation.

Units from Margate, Snug and Kingston attended the scene.

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