Space object linked to big bang

THE city’s “big bang” mystery continues to deepen with residents split on whether it was caused by a meteorite, gas bottle explosion, electrical transformer failure or sonic boom.

Beginning with the latter theory, a single FA-18 Hornet was heard flying loudly over Cairns on Sunday night. A Department of Defence spokesman confirmed it landed at Cairns while carrying out a training exercise from RAAF Base Townsville.

But no jets were operating late on Saturday night when a God almighty “explosion” was heard across the city.

As for the gas bottle theory – the most popular on social media – emergency services had no report of any such activity despite speculation it was the product of juvenile delinquents running rampant in Jensen St at Manoora.

The Cairns Post was called by an anonymous man trying to sell CCTV footage he swore showed a jolt of light shooting up a power pole and causing the ensuing aftershock.

Ergon Energy had no record of any issues.

Woree resident John Romanov went hunting for the bang’s source yesterday, using Facebook comments to triangulate the likely location of a meteorite strike.

He came across a deep smouldering hole surrounded by broken and burning tree limbs in bushland beside Edge Hill State School.

When he found the spot yesterday morning, there was a large chunk of what looked like concrete inside the hole but no meteorite.

“I’m sure this is the location of what caused that massive bang though,” he said.

QFRS confirmed crews attended a small fire in the bushland Sunday evening but an explosion was not reported.

The Cairns Post is seeking expert opinion on the mystery.