Two people were killed when an explosion ripped apart the inside of a World War II-era tank which was being filmed at an Oregon public gun range.

The vintage war machine, described as a 1944 M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer, exploded at the range operated by the Central Oregon Sports Shooting Association near Bend, Oregon.

Emergency services raced to the scene following the blast to find one man dead and a second mortally wounded. It is understood that first responders were able to talk briefly to the second victim before he lapsed into unconsciousness and died.

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Tank blast victims: Steven Preston, 51 (left), and Austin Lee, 22 (right), have been identified as the two men who were killed when a World War II-are tank blew up at a gun range in Oregon Tuesday

Officers examined the 1944 M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer, pictured, after an explosion ripped through the vehicle's cockpit

Preston and Lee died inside the tank, pictured, after the explosion on the gun range outside Bend, Oregon

Police are still trying to determine the cause of the explosion, which happened while the tank was being filmed

The two victims were identified Wednesday afternoon as Steve Preston, 51, and Austin Lee, 22, both of Oregon City, Oregon.

Preston was a board director and convention chairman of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, a national organization dedicated to restoring and collecting historic army ground transport.

The group put out a statement on its website Wednesday revealing that Preston was mortally wounded while participating in an historic military vehicle demonstration.

‘We were all touched and enriched by Steve, and will miss our dear friend,’ the message read.

Preston is survived by his wife, Rachel, and their two young daughters.

Family man: Preston is survived by his wife, Rachel, and their two young daughters, pictured here posing with the ill-fated Hellcat tank destroyer

History buff: Lee, pictured left and right in World War II-era uniforms, was a battle reenactor and historic weaponry enthusiast

Lee was a member of Able Company 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment - a unit of World War II reenactors

On his Facebook page, the military vehicle enthusiast shared a photo last year showing him and his family posing with the same Hellcat tank destroyer that blew up Tuesday.

Austin Lee was a member of Able Company 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment - a unit of World War II reenactors. According to the group's Facebook page, its members 'fight' four battles a year with historic weapons and vehicles.

The 22-year-old's Facebook album is filled with photos of Lee in various military uniforms, including sailor and pilot outfits, partaking in battles reenactments with other young men.

Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson said there was no indication yet as to what caused the explosion that killed Preston and Lee.

According to a press release from the sheriff's office, a film crew was capturing video of the tank destroyer firing rounds at the time of the explosion. The video was to be used as part of a display of the tank destroyer at a future exhibit.

It is understood that the tank had successfully used the gun range before without any incident

The World War II-era tank was being filmed as it exploded on a public gun range outside Bend, Oregon

In a phone interview with Daily Mail on Wednesday afternoon, an official with the sheriff’s department explained that it is not illegal to own or fire a tank in the State of Oregon, provided that the weaponized vehicle is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the person handling the tank has the proper license.

Authorities said there is no risk to the public.

Detectives from the sheriff's office and the Oregon State Police Arson and Explosives Section are investigating.