Police thank members of the public for information provided yesterday which resulted in a youth being charged with deliberately lighting a vegetation fire in Hadspen.

“Around 2.30pm yesterday police received information from the public that two youths were setting a vegetation fire on Illawarra Road where it crosses the South Esk River Bridge,” said Inspector Scott Flude.

“I thank those members of the community who provided information, and the bystanders who contained the fire until emergency services arrived which prevented fire spread and significant damage.

“As we approach another fire season it’s timely to remind people to be vigilant when it comes to lighting fires in an appropriate manner, fire can spread quickly and put people and homes in danger.”

Following the report to emergency services, Tasmania Fire Service attended the scene identified by the public and quickly extinguished the fire.

Police conducted a number of inquiries and as a result charged a 15-year-old youth with deliberately lighting the fire.