The Forbes Inn Hotel, a century-old pub located in central-west New South Wales, suffered extensive damage due to a fire that broke out in the early morning hours on Sunday. Emergency services were alerted just after 1:30 AM to reports of flames engulfing the second storey of the building. Given the scale of the blaze and the potential risks to life and nearby properties, a large-scale emergency response was initiated. Firefighters and police worked together to manage the situation, focusing on maintaining safety for both hotel guests and residents of adjacent buildings.

NSW Police played a crucial role in the evacuation process, assisting five guests from the burning building and evacuating six people from a nearby structure that was also at risk. The dramatic scenes involved huge flames and thick smoke billowing from the historic pub, which has been a fixture in the community for over a century. Fire crews responded swiftly, and despite their efforts, the building was reported to be gutted by the fire.

As the investigation into the fire's cause gets underway, the incident raises concerns about fire safety in heritage buildings. With local authorities emphasizing thorough investigations, there is hope that both the cause can be swiftly identified and measures can be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future. The loss of the Forbes Inn Hotel not only impacts its owners and guests but also represents a significant loss to the cultural heritage of the area.