A FLAMING object seen crashing into a mountain in central Queensland this morning is believed to be a meteorite or space junk.

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Police in four wheel drives and a helicopter are scouring thick bushland at Takilberan Creek southwest Gladstone where a bright flash and explosion were seen on a mountainside this morning.

The spectacle was initially treated as a possible plane crash but is now believed to be a meteor or space junk falling to earth.

Police said the Australian Search and Rescue Authority received no mayday or distress calls from aircraft.

The AGL Action Rescue helicopter has been tasked to search the area about 35km north of Gin Gin in central Queensland.

Police are also conducting a ground search of the thickly wooded area.

Earlier, police said there was a fire on the ground in the area but details were still sketchy .

The spokeswoman said they had been notified that a witness may have seen ``something fall out of the sky'' into the side of a mountain early this morning.

“Somebody thought they saw something fading or falling out of the sky but there’s been no emergency calls from aircraft,” the spokeswoman said.

“It may be something like the nature of space junk or a meteor.’’