Twelve horses have died in a stable fire in central Victoria.
Emergency services were called to a property on Kilmore-Lancefield Road in Forbes in the early hours of this morning.
Police said the resident of the property went outside to investigate after hearing what sounded like popping noises around 12:30am.
The horse stables were engulfed in flames.
Police said a number of horses were able to be retrieved from the burning stables, but 12 were believed to have died.
The stables were adjacent to the family home.
Harness Racing Victoria said in a statement its support team was reaching out to the involved participants.
A crime scene was established and the fire was deemed not suspicious.
Harness Racing Victoria officials also attended the scene.
