A popular cafe in southern Tasmania has been gutted by fire, with police saying the deliberate act caused $500,000 worth of damage.
The damage bill is expected to be around $500,000 after the blaze spread to an adjacent business
One witness described seeing thick, black smoke billowing from underneath the front door of the cafe, and firefighters smashing through the door of an adjacent business to gain access to the blaze.Roads in the area were blocked off for several hours as multiple units from the Tasmania Fire Service worked to extinguish the blaze.
"It's allowed us to focus our efforts a bit more towards who we think may be responsible, but we still have a bit more work to do" Acting Inspector Latham said. "The impacts of the fire are wide-reaching, and the entire community is feeling for owners Penny and Brett," Derwent Valley Council Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said.