TasRail blamed for fire

[athan <hatsoff@bigstix.com>]

One of the worst bushfires in recent times in the Midlands of Tasmania
has been blamed on sparks being generated from a TasRail freight train.

The fire swept through the prime sheep grazing area over the past few
days, destroying valuable grazing land, fences, infrastructure and
livestock.

The area is renowned for the super fine merino wool that regularly
attracts world class prices in auctions.

One farmer estimates that the damage and destruction of his livestock
may be in the order of $750 000, and will take at least 5 years to breed
back into meaningful production.

TasRail are fully cooperating with the Tasmanian Fire Service in their
investigations.

Aerial shots of the area clearly show the fire starting on one side of
the line.

More details should be available in tomorrow's edition of the The
Mercury, Hobart's daily newspaper.