On October 21, 2023, severe weather tore through Hobart, keeping emergency services busy. Crews from the Tasmania Fire Service responded to reports of a building fire in Hobart, initially attributed to a lightning strike, at the Zero Davey Hotel.
This incident unfolded amid an intense storm bringing high winds and rain, which not only made life difficult for firefighters but also facilitated the fire’s spread through the building’s ducting system. The fire resulted in extensive damage across nearly every level of the hotel, with the upper penthouse floors suffering the most.
The malfunctioning electronic audible evacuation system further complicated the situation, requiring a manual evacuation effort by both the police and firefighters. Although the evacuation tones briefly operated, they stopped shortly after, leaving hotel guests in a state of confusion regarding the need to evacuate. Firefighting crews were required to conduct a room-by-room check and, in some cases, force entry to search for guests.
Investigations by the Tasmanian Fire Service have since stated the fire was started accidentally in a kitchen on the ground floor.
As a result of this incident, nine individuals received on-site treatment for a range of injuries, with some guests requiring hospitalisation due to smoke inhalation.
Thanks to Steve Schueler for the photos and video.