Hunt on for city arsonist

AFTERMATH: The remains of the Bridges Brothers building.

THE blaze that caused up to $10 million damage to Hobart's Bridges Brothers building was deliberately lit, Tasmania Police says.

Inspector David Plumpton said yesterday police were investigating the suspicious fire that started between midnight and 4am last Saturday.

"The Tasmanian Fire Service have concluded their investigation and identified the fire as being deliberately lit," Insp Plumpton said yesterday.

But he said it could still be some time before police charged anybody.

"We are undertaking a rigorous and detailed investigation, but it will take some time.

"We are still going through a lot of evidence and we want anyone who has any information or saw someone to contact police."

Meanwhile, Insp Plumpton said officers were still investigating a fire on Hobart's Queens Domain on Thursday night.

The blaze that destroyed 17ha of grass and bushland on the eastern side of the Domain also appeared to have been deliberately lit.

The fire continued to burn yesterday, preventing investigators from accessing the scene until late in the day.

It was initially estimated that the fire had burnt 5ha, but the full extent of destruction became apparent later.

Insp Plumpton said police believed the fire was deliberately lit because of the time it occurred and its location.

"But we will await final advice from the Tasmanian Fire Service," he said.

Fire Service officer Michael Netherton said a number of fires were still burning inside trees on the Domain, making the area unsafe.

But heavy showers yesterday helped fire officers and Hobart City Council crews douse parts of the fire in the morning.

"The rain had a significant impact on it but there are still a lot of fires inside trees," Mr Netherton said.

Investigations to determine the fire's cause were continuing.

-- with JENNIFER CRAWLEY

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Former top cop attack

THE man credited with ending Melbourne's violent gangland war has been the victim of an alleged assault on the Hobart Waterfront.

Former top cop Simon Overland, now the high profile head of Tasmania's Justice Department, was walking with his wife near the waterfront on Thursday evening when he was allegedly king-hit by a man trying to steal two bottles of wine being carried by the couple.

However, it appears Mr Overland the former Victoria Police chief commissioner was no easy target.

After being struck to the ground, Mr Overland regained his feet and immediately restrained his alleged attacker, while Mrs Overland called police on her mobile phone.

Tasmania Police arrived a short time later and apprehended the man before charging him with assault.

The Mercury understand Mr Overland went to hospital for a check-up but was released a short time later.

Mr Overland spent nearly 20 years in the Australian Federal Police force before joining Victoria Police, where he headed the Purana Taskforce that tackled Melbourne's organised crime.

He replaced Christine Nixon as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner in 2009.

Mr Overland is credited with playing a major role in bringing an end to the Melbourne gangland wars which resulted in convictions and lengthy jail terms for underworld figures Carl Williams and Tony Mokbel and became the subject of the first Underbelly television series.

Yesterday Mr Overland, who took over as head of Tasmania's Justice department in July last year, declined to talk to the Mercury.

It is believed Tasmania Police have charged a man who will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.

matthew.smith@news.com.au

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Four hurt in Tamar crash

One of the vehicles involved in the Tamar Highway car crash.

FOUR people have been injured in a head-on crash in slippery conditions near Bell Bay on the East Tamar Highway.

Launceston police said the two-vehicle accident happened just before noon today.

Emergency crews used cutting equipment to free two people trapped after the crash.

Four people were taken to hospital for treatment but their injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

It is believed the driver of the northbound vehicle lost control in wet conditions and slid into the path of the other car.

Police officers were diverting traffic around the crash scene.

Southbound motorists were advised to travel via Dalrymple Rd, with northbound traffic diverted via East Arm Rd to Dalrymple Rd.

Police issued a warning to motorists earlier today to beware of slippery road conditions because of wet weather.

A vehicle roll-over occurred at the intersection of Bell Bay Rd and Temco Rd, Bell Bay, about 9.30am today.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, escaped without injury.

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Armed robbery at Sandy Bay

TWO men have held up a Sandy Bay newsagency during peak hour on the main road.

Tasmania Police said the two suspects were men wearing hoodies, masks and were armed with some type of weapon.

They said the men ran off into the adjoining Woolworths complex.

It was unknown whether anything was stolen from the newsagency on Sandy Bay Rd.

Police would not reveal what weapons were used in the incident, which took place about 4.30pm.

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Chopper rescues injured rafter

A FEMALE rafter with a suspected broken ankle has been airlifted from the edge of the Franklin River on Tasmania's West Coast.

Police said the 21-year-old woman was part way through a 10-day rafting trip when the accident happened yesterday.

The Tasmania Police Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent to the scene about 7am today, with access made easier by the low water level in the river.

The woman was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where she is in a stable condition.

The helicopter was also called out overnight to rescue a walker who became lost while tackling Mt Amos in Freycinet National Park on the East Coast.

Police said the Victorian man set out late in the day and lost his way while returning from the summit.

He used a mobile phone to alert police to his plight about 6pm yesterday.

Officers who walked into the area were unable to locate the man. The helicopter found him on the western side of Mt Amos about 2am and winched him to safety.

Police said the man -- dressed in shorts and T-shirt -- was cold but not injured. He was taken back to his car at Coles Bay.

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Epic trip begins in earnest

The expedition team before its departure on Elephant Island off the Antarctic Peninsula. Picture: AFP

AN Australian-led expedition retracing Sir Ernest Shackleton's audacious 1916 crossing of the Southern Ocean has set sail.

The team of six took off in a small lifeboat from Elephant Island, in the South Shetland Islands, about 6am today (AEDT).

They are bound for South Georgia in the Southern Atlantic, about 800 nautical miles across the fearsome Southern Ocean, following the course of the explorer's perilous voyage.

Sir Ernest's crossing took 17 days, with a three-day trip across South Georgia.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard offered the expedition her best wishes today.

"On behalf of our nation, and in the warm spirit of Anglo-Australian friendship, I wish you well in the challenging days ahead," she said in statement.

Leading the crew aboard an exact replica of the 6.9-m whaler James Caird is 46-year-old Adelaide environmental scientist Tim Jarvis.

"Clearly there are inherent dangers involved in attempting an expedition of this magnitude," Mr Jarvis said shortly before taking off today.

"Shackleton's journey certainly defied the odds."

"I hope this expedition not only does his memory justice but also reminds us all of how incredibly beautiful, yet fragile, this part of the world is."

The crew's boat has been renamed the Alexandra Shackleton after the explorer's granddaughter.

"The expedition will be incredibly demanding both at sea and on land," Ms Shackleton warned today.

In the final leg of the journey, the crew plans to use only the equipment and food available to Shackleton during a two-day climb to 900m over the mountainous, crevassed interior of South Georgia.

Shackleton set off from Elephant Island in April 1916, after his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition's vessel, Endurance, became stuck in ice and was abandoned.

He made it to South Georgia and raised the alarm at a whaling station, and rescuers were eventually able to save the stranded party without loss of life.

Shackleton died of a heart attack off South Georgia in 1922 during his fourth Antarctic expedition when he was trying to circumnavigate the continent.

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State's $15m Blundstone boost

THE Tasmanian Government has committed $15 million to the Blundstone Arena redevelopment.

While Tasmania continues struggle financially, Premier Lara Giddings today said the money would come from infrastructure funding already allocated in the 2014-15 Budget.

The redevelopment will increase the ground's capacity from 15,000 to about 19,500 and create more than 300 jobs in the construction phase.

Ms Giddings said the investment would help Hobart attract 2015 World Cup cricket matches and hopefully more North Melbourne AFL games.

"The State Government is supporting this project because it will create much-needed jobs for Tasmanians and improve our ability to host more elite level sport like today's one-day international and AFL matches," Ms Giddings said.

"Major sporting events provide a huge boost to local businesses and also make Tasmanian an attractive place for people to live and work.

"It has been more than a decade since the last major improvements were made to Blundstone Arena and it is important that this picturesque ground continues to evolve to accommodate the needs of modern sport and the patrons that attend."

The $30 million project received planning approval from the Clarence City Council on Monday.

The State Government's commitment matches the Federal Government's $15 million grant and will allow the redevelopment to start after North Melbourne's second home game this year in May, subject to any late appeals.

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said the Liberals supported the project but questioned the Government's priorities.

"The premier must explain how she can afford $15 million for a new grandstand when she can't afford to properly fund essential services like health and public safety," he said.

Read more in tomorrow's Mercury.

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Bailey skippers Aussie side

TASMANIAN George Bailey will captain Australia in his first home game after skipper Michael Clarke failed to overcome a sprained ankle.

There was no sign of Clarke during the warm up after he injured his ankle at training yesterday.

But it did not help with the toss today, with Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene winning and sending Australia into bat on a good looking Blundstone Arena pitch under perfect skies.

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell replaces Clarke in the Australian team, while Sri Lanka retains an unchanged side and leads the best of five series 2-1.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade has been named to open for Australia alongside David Warner, with Phil Hughes to bat at No.3.

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Sailor tells of 'miracle' rescue

THE French yachtsman rescued by an Australian ship from the Southern Ocean says it's a miracle he's been given a second chance at life.

Alain Delord spent three days in a life raft before being rescued by Antarctic cruise ship Orion on Sunday night about 500 nautical miles southeast of Tasmania.

His yacht, the Tchouk Tchouk Nougat, was dismasted and suffered hull damage in the Southern Ocean last week on its round-the-world voyage.

"It's a second chance at life," he told reporters through a translator after arriving in Hobart on board the Orion today.

"It's a miracle the Orion was on the way back."

"You always hope for the best."

Mr Delord said it had been more than three months since he had left home and his confidence in his vessel had grown.

"(I had) already travelled half-way across the world," he said through the translator.

"And then (I) hit bad weather with 60-70 knot winds and by then (I) was in the centre of the depression."

Delord described himself as "pretty lucky" to escape the ordeal with only a few bruises, scratches and swollen hands.

"When first contact happens you know someone's aware and you feel much better," Mr Delord said.

"You're hoping for life and for someone to come and rescue you."

He thanked his rescuers, saying "merci" several times.

"Thank you to the Australian maritime authorities and thank you to Orion," he said through the translator.

Orion's captain Mike Taylor said the ship had taken three days to reach Mr Delord once the alarm was raised with maritime safety authorities.

Once the ship arrived, rescue conditions were very difficult.

The crew had only 20 minutes of daylight to pull Delord from the water after reaching him at 9pm -- three hours later than Capt Taylor had hoped.

"Once we got there it was touch and go," Capt Taylor said.

"Visibility was very very bad."

"The problem with that, of course, is that the sun sets at 2120 (9.20pm) and although you've got a little bit of twilight you're really under the gun to effect the rescue while you've still got daylight.

"It's not the kind of thing you can do in the hours of darkness.

"My heart was really in my mouth."

The Orion arrived at Hobart's Macquarie Wharf just after 9am today. The ship's 100 passengers crowded the front deck as it docked in front of a small crowd and large media contingent.

Customs, immigration and French consular officials arrived soon after and boarded the vessel.

Mr Delord lost his personal belongings, including his passport, and new documents had to be organised before he could disembark.

He is expected to remain in Hobart tonight before travelling to Canberra to visit the French Embassy.

Read more in tomorrow's Mercury

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Dark cloud over Clarke

Tasmanian batsman George Bailey, who will lead the side in his first home game should Michael Clarke fail to play, spoke at the captain's pre-game press conference today. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE player Australia can least afford to lose -- captain Michael Clarke -- is in doubt for tomorrow's one-day game against Sri Lanka in Hobart.

Australia's plans were thrown into disarray after Clarke rolled his ankle at training this morning during a simple fielding drill and was carried from the ground.

Tasmanian batsman George Bailey, who will lead the side in his first home game should Clarke fail to play, spoke at the captain's pre-game press conference today while Clarke was off having scans.

"Obviously he'll be given right up to the toss tomorrow to prove he's right to go," Bailey said.

"Hopefully that scan will be clear and there will obviously be a little bit of pain. But if he's 100 per cent, he'll be right to play."

With no other specialist batsmen in the 13-man squad, all-rounder Glenn Maxwell may have to come into the team to replace Clarke if the captain is unable to take his place -- unless selectors decide to fly in another batsman, most likely Usman Khawaja.

"Once again, I'm not entirely sure yet. No doubt the selectors will sort all that out," Bailey said.

"Hopefully the scan comes back clear and best case scenario Pup still plays."

Australia's top-order batting has struggled in the past three 50-over games and can ill afford to lose its best batsman.

With Sunday's game in Sydney abandoned because of a wet outfield, Australia can only tie the series 2-2 with Sri Lanka with a win in Hobart tomorrow.

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