A CAR explosion in Burnie on Wednesday that resulted in severe burns to a father and his two sons is being treated as an attempted murder, police say.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 45-year-old and the two boys, aged five and eight, were hospitalised after sustaining burns to more than 25 per cent of their bodies.
Detective Acting Inspector Stuart Wilkinson, of Western District CIB, said that as a result of evidence obtained at the scene, police believed the action was deliberate.
"We are of the understanding there was accelerants used under the vehicle and LPG in the vehicle which was left open," he said.
"It was a very distressing scene for everyone involved."
At this stage, no charges have been laid over the incident.
Detective Acting Inspector Wilkinson said police would endeavour to interview the man when he was well enough.
The boys' mother, who did not live at the address, had been notified of what had happened.
"She's really distressed."
The father was yesterday in a critical condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital, while the two boys were in a serious condition in the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
All three were initially taken to the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie immediately after the incident.
Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene in the suburb of Shorewell Park just after 5pm on Wednesday in response to the reports.
Upon hearing loud bangs and seeing smoke coming from the backyard of the Woniora Road property, neighbours came to the aid of the three involved.
"Neighbours were the first ones to raise the alarm and thankfully they attended quickly and located the people involved to give some reassurance," he said.
The car, which was engulfed in flames and destroyed in the incident, is in a police compound being forensically tested.
Police said counselling would be offered to officers who were at the scene should they wish to access it.
Police want to speak to anyone who has information on the incident. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or Tasmania Police on 131444.
