Loud bangs heard around Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges

A SERIES of loud bangs throughout parts of Melbourne’s outer east last night has people scratching their heads over what caused it.

There are plenty of theories about what caused the loud bangs heard across Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.

MYSTERY surrounds a series of loud bangs heard throughout Melbourne’s outer east last night.

Hundreds of people in the Maroondah, Yarra Ranges and Knox areas were shaken after hearing strange loud sounds, that many thought were gunshots or detonations.

On Knox Leader’s Facebook page, Irene Genovese said: “A lot of people are asking what is it on the local web pages from Upwey, Ferntree Gully to Knoxfield. They say it sounds like a gun going off. All their dogs are going crazy.”

Did you hear a loud gunshot or detonation type sound? Email [e-mail]

Nikki Kass told Knox Leader she thought the loud gunshot noise was related to a large drone in the soccer park around the Knox athletics area.

Louise Page said she thought it was a meteorite exploding in the atmosphere.

“It was heard so far and wide that it is a distinct possibility that’s what it could have been,” Ms Page said.

“Alternatively, it may have been (what I call) an atmospheric ‘bomb’, where several atmospheric conditions join up to create an explosive expulsion of energy.”

People on the Wonga Park Noticeboard Facebook group reported hearing the noise in Croydon and surrounding areas.

Caitlin Gmehling said: “I heard them so loud around Brushy Park Rd. So scary and multiple times too.”

Many people also thought the loud noises were due to Parks Victoria’s deer control operation.

But Parks Victoria district manager Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges Craig Bray said their deer control operation was held yesterday in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve between 5am and midday.

Maroondah and Knox police did not have any reports related to the noise.