A passenger flight from Parkes to Bathurst was grounded after crews feared a fire had started in the plane’s cargo bay.

Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Brett Jackson said crews from Bathurst, Kelso and HAZMAT units, along with other emergency services, were called to the airport at 7.39pm. 

“The pilot has used an extinguisher after noticing smoke coming from the cargo area,” he said of the initial call out.

A Regional Express Airlines spokeswoman said Bathurst’s firefighters were asked to inspect the plane and they determined that it was a false alarm.

“The aircraft has now been inspected by fire services and they found no indication of fire or smoke in the aircraft,” she said.

“There was a false smoke detector indicator in the cargo area.”

The spokeswoman said the incident occurred after the plane had arrived and landed at Bathurst Airport.

“The plane was still on the tarmac when this happened and crews followed procedures and passengers disembarked from the aircraft,” she said.

​There were no reports of injuries.

The aircraft was grounded in Bathurst for mechanical checks.

Meanwhile, passengers who were due to fly on to Sydney remained at Bathurst Airport for a replacement aircraft which flew them to Sydney later that evening.