Investigators are looking at whether a blaze at a NSW country pub that led to the death of a firefighter was suspicious.
Daniel Howard, 37, was on Sunday morning killed after a wall of the Occidental Hotel in Cobar, west of Dubbo, collapsed onto him and a fellow firefighter.
"Both men were taken to Cobar Hospital, however, (Mr Howard) died a short time later," police said.
"The other man was treated for a broken arm."
Emergency services found the pub well alight when they arrived just before 8am (AEST) and about an hour later it was brought under control.
But when Mr Howard, a full-time electrician who worked weekends with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), and a colleague were near the severely damaged building they were hit by a falling wall.
A crime scene has been established and detectives are preparing a report for the coroner.
"It's unknown at this stage whether the incident is suspicious," police said.
Mr Howard leaves behind a fiance and a three-year-old step son, a spokesman for emergency services minister Stuart Ayres said.
"He was really, really popular in his community, really, really well known and respected," he told AAP.
NSW premier Mike Baird sent his "deep sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the family, to the friends to the community."
"Day in, day out they take unbelievable risks on our behalf, while we're sitting here comfortably, they're taking those risks," he said.
"To see it end in tragedy as it has (Sunday) is beyond words."
Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said the service had "lost a dedicated firefighter, committed to protecting his community."
"He lost his life protecting other people in his community and on behalf of all members of Fire & Rescue NSW I extend our deepest sympathies to firefighters, family and friends."
The commissioner is travelling to Cobar with officers from FRNSW's Critical Incident Support Team to assist Mr Howard's family, firefighters and the community.
"This man selflessly dedicated his life to the safety of his community," Mr Ayres said in a statement.
"On behalf of the people of NSW, our thoughts and prayers are today with the officer's family, friends and fellow firefighters."
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