Tamar Marine fire has wide-ranging impact

Tasmania’s fishing, boating and rural community is reeling after a devastating fire that destroyed Tamar Marine in Launceston this morning.

The fire caused more than $5 million worth of damage and decimated three businesses ,including the popular family-run business Tamar Marine which has been operating since 1979.

Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service were alerted at midnight on Wednesday about the fire which, due to its ferocity, also spread to neighbouring businesses Almasts Australia and Slipway warehouse.

The fire took 30 firefighters more than two hours to get under control with Tas Fire stating that Tamar Marine, “an iconic family business", had been totally destroyed.

Putting out the fire was said to also be an issue due to poor access to mains water with crews having to resort to pumping water from the nearby Tamar River.

For four decades Tamar Marine has served Launceston and Tasmania's fishing and boating community with Tasmanian Country’s fishing columnist Adam Rice and many followers expressing their sadness at the devastating loss.

"Generations of Tasmanian people and families have frequented this shop and anglers and boating/marine enthusiasts relied on its services over a long period of time - the local community and Tasmania is saddened at the loss,' Mr Rice said.

The Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police are investigating the cause of the fire and they encourage anyone with information to come forward.

Photos below courtesy Tasmanian Fire Service