UPDATE 4.11pm:
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Tasmania Police charged a 53-year-old Moonah man with attempted murder and arson following a fire at the Peacock Centre on Wednesday.
The community mental health centre was destroyed by the inferno.
Damage cost were estimated to be $2 million.
No one was seriously injured as a result of the fire.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Hobart CIB on 6173 2603.
UPDATE 1.46pm:
A 53-year-old man is in police custody after an alleged arson attack on a community mental health centre in Hobart on Wednesday morning.
Police Inspector Adrian Bodnar said the man entered the Peacock Centre on Elphinstone Road at 10:50am and sprayed an accelerant before setting it alight.
He fled but was arrested by police without resistance shortly after on a nearby street.
Hobart Fire Brigade district officer Stuart Males said the fire in the century-old, heritage-listed building spread quickly but all 25 occupants – all staff members at the centre – were able to escape in time.
He said ten of those people were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation and two others were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for further treatment.
Inspector Bodnar said there were unconfirmed reports that one person was unaccounted for in the building but further investigations of the centre were required to determine if this was the case.
The Peacock Centre is a community day centre for mental health patients to engage in expert consultation and activities.
The service has operated since the mid-1990s.
UPDATE 12.36pm:
The structure fire at the Peacock Centre is now under control.
Tasmania Fire Service crews remain at the scene extinguishing the fire.
Tasmania Police said residents and staff of the centre were evacuated to a safe location.
Firefighters are searching the property to ensure all residents and staff are accounted for.
Road closures are expected to remain for several hours.
UPDATE 12.03pm:
Staff and residents of the Peacock Centre have been evacuated due to a structure fire.
Tasmania Police said one person is unaccounted for.
Tasmania Fire Service is working to bring the fire under control.
Police have closed Elphinstone Road, Elizabeth Street, Mortimer Road and Mount Stuart Road.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area.
EARLIER:
Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service are responding to a structure fire at Elphinstone Road, North Hobart.
Elphinstone Road, Elizabeth Street, Mortimer Road and Mount Stuart Road have been closed due to the fire.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area until further notice.
MORE TO COME