Two people were killed Tuesday afternoon by an explosion inside a World War II-era tank at a public firing range 24 miles east of Bend, Deschutes County sheriff deputies said.Deputies, Oregon State Police and Bend Fire Department medics responded shortly after 3 p.m. to the reported explosion, off U.S. Highway 20 East near milepost 24, said sheriff’s Sgt. Nathan Garibay.Paramedics attempted lifesaving efforts, Garibay said, but the two people died of their injuries.No other details were immediately released, pending further investigation and notification of family members.Garibay said sheriff’s detectives were jointly investigating the explosion with the Oregon State Police Arson and Explosives Section.Numerous Deschutes County sheriff's deputies and Bend fire medics rushed to the scene, while an AirLink helicopter was called out to the scene, which Garibay said was located adjacent to the Central Oregon Shooting Sports Association range.
