UPDATE: Three youths are now in police custody following a fire that caused “extensive” damage at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, located 50 km west of Launceston. The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon, leading emergency services to respond rapidly to reports of the blaze.
Authorities confirmed that the trio, initially reported as armed, were found unarmed in an outdoor area before being detained by Tasmania Police. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this alarming incident. Fire crews remain on-site, battling the flames and assessing the damage, which police describe as significant.
This detention centre has been under scrutiny, especially following a 2023 report from a Tasmanian inquiry into institutionalized child sexual abuse. The inquiry recommended that the Ashley Youth Detention Centre be closed immediately, citing ongoing risks to child safety. However, the closure has been delayed multiple times, with the current planned shutdown set for early 2028 as a replacement facility is constructed.
The nature of the fire raises urgent questions about security and the safety of the youth housed in the facility. As the investigation unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the implications of this incident, especially in light of the troubling history surrounding the centre.
For anyone affected by this incident or seeking support, the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service can be reached at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or 1800 211 028.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
