Detectives were today combing through what remained of a shed of pyrotechnics that exploded on Sunday afternoon, while Rural Fire Service crews worked to contain the resulting grassfire.
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Emergency services responded to reports of a loud explosion at Bogan Gate, about 45km north-west of Forbes, shortly after 5pm Sunday.
They found a shed used to store fireworks and black powder products well alight.
About 20 residents were evacuated, with police establishing a two kilometre exclusion zone around the facility.
The area was declared safe about 11pm and residents allowed home.
Detectives and crime scene officers spent this morning at the site collecting scientific evidence.
Superintendent Chris Taylor said he could not speculate about what triggered the blast until the scientific results were returned.
He expected the site to be handed back to managers this afternoon after forensics teams were finished.
Supt Taylor confirmed that only one building was destroyed, the other buildings at the site received only superficial damage from the initial explosion.
Rural Fire Service fixed-wing aircraft remained on duty this afternoon, trying to prevent a grass fire sparked by the explosion from spreading.
Mid Lachlan Valley superintendent Ken Neville said the blast had sparked a fire in the range but crews could not access it Sunday night.
Given the all-clear, they were working to stop it spreading down the range.
Fixed-wing aircraft were water-bombing the range and crews working on the side of the hill.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the Bogan Gate incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Horror fire day
Rural Fire Service volunteers were working double time in Sunday afternoon’s horror weather conditions.
A fire sparked by heavy machinery burned out 2200 hectares of stubble and oat crop on the Tullamore Road before being contained.
Temperatures reached 44 degrees and Parkes airport recorded winds of up to 70 kilometres an hour.
RFS Mid-Lachlan Valley superintendent Ken Neville said volunteers did a “magnificent” job in bad conditions - putting in a lot of hours to contain the fire.
“About 75 volunteers were out there at the peak,” he said.
“We also had five fixed-wing aircraft, two helicopters and heavy machinery.”
Crews continued working Sunday night to strengthen fire breaks.
The fire was this afternoon listed as being contained.
