UPDATE: Police on search for hotel blaze footage

POLICE are appealing for a man seen filming a hotel fire in Cobar on Sunday morning to contact them.

Emergency services were called to the Occidental Hotel at 7.50am on Sunday with reports the building was well alight.

Part-time firefighter Daniel Howard, 37, was killed during the blaze, and his fellow firefighter left injured with a broken arm after a wall collapsed on them.

Police believe the footage of the blaze could assist with their investigation.

Darling River Local Area Command police established a crime scene and detectives launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

It's unknown at this stage whether the incident is suspicious.

As inquiries continue, investigators are urging anyone who was near the hotel at the time to come forward.

Police have urged anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

2.34pm

POLICE established a crime scene at a Cobar Hotel on Sunday after a blaze left one firefighter dead, and another injured.

About 7.50am on Sunday, police and Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to the Occidental Hotel on Marshall Street following reports of a fire.

The blaze was brought under control by firefighters and everyone inside the premises was accounted for, however, the building sustained extensive damage as a result.

About 9am, two male firefighters were at the hotel when a wall collapsed on top of them.

Both men were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to Cobar Hospital where one of the men died.

Detectives are investigating the man's death and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Police detectives are also continuing their investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

The other firefighter was in hospital on Sunday receiving treatment for a broken arm.

Police have urged anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Police remind people they should not report crime information via their social media pages.

EARLIER:

A COBAR firefighter died, and was another injured, while fighting a blaze on Sunday morning at the Occidental Hotel.

“It is with a heavy heart I confirm the death of a Fire and Rescue NSW officer,” said Minister for Emergency Services Stuart Ayres.

“The officer was attending a fire at a hotel in Cobar when a wall collapsed and he suffered what is believed to be cardiac arrest.

"On behalf of the people of NSW, our thoughts and prayers are today with the officer’s family, friends and fellow firefighters.”

The second firefighter is being treated in hospital for non life-threatening injuries.