Bomb death investigated
Police are investigating whether a man killed in a blast in New South Wales yesterday was targeted.
The homicide squad and property crime squads are now helping local police investigate the death of 58-year-old John Burrows.
The power plant worker and greyhound trainer was killed by an explosion in a rear garage of his Portland property.
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Police established a crime scene at the property and found an improvised explosive device at the scene of the blast.
Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said it was an unusual incident for a small community.
“It’s too early to say if he was specifically targeted but we’re certainly progressing inquiries in that regard,” he said.
“As part of our inquiries we’re obviously delving into the victim’s background, his interests, associates and I suppose any enemies he might have had within the community and that’s a very prominent line of enquiry.”
Yesterday, Portland resident Ron Bidwell said the explosion could be heard across town.
“It was fairly early, around 6am-ish, and I just heard this whoomph, which sounded like a smaller version of when the fireworks place went up some years ago,” he said.
“I knew it had to be an explosion.”