28 Apr 2013

High winds cause havoc in Tasmania

6:47 am on 28 April 2013

Bushfires were fanned and powerlines downed in Tasmania on Saturday as strong wind swept across parts of the Australian state.

Thousands of residents on the east coast and in the Midlands were left without power after wind gusting to 160 km/h raged across land.

Fire crews battled about a dozen bushfires, with most efforts being concentrated near Richmond, where flames threatened homes on Saturday afternoon.

A second large fire near Cygnet also flared, with about 10 tankers brought in to bring it under control, the ABC reports.

The alert level was downgraded later in the day but crews remained in the area in case winds pick up again.