03/09/2026
UPDATE at 4.45pm:
Fire scene examinations at Tungatinah Power Station were unable to be completed today and will continue tomorrow, with crews undertaking ongoing safety assessments to support investigator access to the site.
Road closures remain in place, with motorists and community members urged to stay away from the Tarraleah area while recovery and assessment activities continue.
Severe weather is creating hazardous conditions in the area, including debris from the scene being affected by strong winds.
The Lyell Highway remains closed between Fourteen Mile Road and Victoria Valley Road, with diversion routes in place via gravel roads however community members are asked not to travel through the area unless necessary.
--
Tasmania Fire Service and other emergency services remain at the scene of Tungatinah Power Station this morning, following a significant fire overnight.
The fire was reported shortly after an alarm activated at the facility at 8.37pm.
Firefighting crews were on scene within 27 minutes of the initial alarm and were confronted with a complex and challenging incident upon arrival.
When crews arrived, the fire had spread throughout the building, and the structure was already in the early stages of collapse.
Volunteer firefighters were the initial responders to what was a confronting incident involving a number of significant safety risks. Pleasingly no injuries occurred.
At the height of the response, approximately 45 personnel from Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania SES were deployed to the incident.
Firefighting crews were supported by specialist resources from Hobart and Launceston brigades, including aerial appliances and drone capability.
Crews successfully contained the fire overnight, and work is now underway to make the scene safe to allow specialist personnel, including fire scene examiners, to access the site.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Fire investigators are hopeful of providing some preliminary findings later today; however, the size of the site and the varying stages of structural collapse present additional challenges.
Emergency services, including Tasmania Fire Service, Tasmania Police, Hydro Tasmania and TasNetworks, remain at the site undertaking monitoring, assessment and recovery activities.
The extent of damage to the structure is still being assessed.
Road closures remain in place around the incident area.
Local residents are still able to access Bradys Lake; however, all other members of the public are asked to stay away from the area while emergency services continue making the site safe.
Traffic diversions remain in place on the Lyell Highway between Victoria Valley Hill Road on the northern side and Fourteen Mile Road on the southern side.
At this stage the road closure is expected to remain in place for at least the next 24 hours, and motorists should monitor TasALERT for the latest information on road closures and traffic diversions.
