Century-old Forbes Inn Hotel gutted by fire
A historical pub in Forbes was evacuated after fire broke out early on Sunday morning. (Supplied: Fire and Rescue NSW)
In short:
A regional New South Wales pub has been gutted after a fire engulfed the building early on Sunday morning.
NSW Police assisted hotel guests as the building was evacuated.
What's next?
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
The cause of a blaze at a historical pub in central-west New South Wales in the early hours of Sunday morning is under investigation.
Emergency services were called to the Forbes Inn Hotel on Rankin Street about 1:30am on Sunday after reports the second storey was on fire.
Huge flames and thick smoke were coming from the building and a large-scale emergency response began due to the potential risk to life and surrounding properties.
Acting Superintendent with Fire and Rescue NSW Kevin Smith said NSW Police evacuated the building as crews worked to contain the fire.
"Police evacuated five people from the building that was on fire and six people from the building at the rear.
"People from next door were also evacuated due to the size of the fire and for the potential of the building to collapse."
Forty firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue and the Rural Fire Service were on scene fighting the blaze. (Supplied: Fire and Rescue NSW)
Due to significant structural instability and a collapsed roof, the 40 firefighters at the scene were unable to enter the building, with the blaze extinguished from the ground.
"Fire and Rescue NSW used a drone to inspect the fire building for hotspots due to the safety concerns over the potential for the building to collapse."
No injuries were reported and the community has been urged to avoid the area.
The scene has since been handed over to NSW Police.
The fire was contained to the pub.
'A sad day for Forbes'
Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller says it is a sad day for the town.
"I spoke to the owner this morning; the Hodge family are a terrific family for Forbes, they sponsor everything.
"We are all mourning this today; it's very sad for the town."
She said the owner of the pub hoped to rebuild.
"The owner has committed to me today that he certainly will be replacing the hotel.
"It's like another club but it's a pub in our town.
"It's been an incredible venue; people have got married there, [held] birthday parties and great artists come to sing there."