Around 10 pm on Saturday the 9^th June 2012, a structure fire was reported at  Benboyd Circle, Rokeby.  Tasmania Fire Service attended the scene and extinguished the fire.

The premises is a privately owned property which at the time of the fire was vacant and had been so for several weeks. The premises had been insecure and youths had been reported to have been visiting the property.    

Initial investigations have identified that the premises had been entered via a front unlocked door.   

The cause of the fire is suspicious and the premises sustained fire damage to the entire house, with a definite possibility of it having to be demolished.  Damage is estimated at $150,000.

The fire is being investigated by the Eastern District Criminal Investigation Branch, with a detailed scene examination to occur on the morning of 10 June 2012.

Witnesses reported that youths were observed leaving the address shortly before the fire was observed on bikes. 

Police request that any member of the public with information in relation to this fire contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or investigators at the Eastern District CIB on 62302318. 

Comments from Detective Constable LANG:  Detective HARTILL will be available between 8 am and 4 pm to make comment if required. 

1.    Arsons ultimately cost everyone in the community;

2.    The activities of arsonists risk lives, particularly those attending and attempting to ensure there are no persons inside the burning premises and those attempting to extinguish the fire;

    3.    Crime Stoppers provides a reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to the conviction of offenders responsible for these arsons.  What appears to be even the most insignificant piece of information to members of the public, can be be critical to investigators.

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