POLICE investigating the death of a Victorian firefighter on a Tasmanian bushfire ground are believed to have ruled out an accident, or suspicious circumstances.
The Gippsland man, aged in his 60s, was found dead on Sunday in forest country near Waterfall Bluff on the Tasman Peninsula, police said. He is believed to have suffered from a medical condition.
He had been preparing for a backburn about 2 kilometres from the front of the fire that burned through Dunalley and other nearby towns, destroying about 170 properties.
His death was discovered when workers were sent to the area after the man failed to make a scheduled call-in, and police are now preparing a report for the coroner
Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Mike Brown said the help of people from interstate services had been key to the firefighting effort.
"To have one of these people die on the fire ground is absolutely tragic news," Mr Brown said.
Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said she expressed her deepest condolences to this brave Victorian's loved ones.
"I hope that his family can gain some comfort from the sincere gratitude we feel for his willingness to assist us during this bushfire crisis. I thank them, and our thoughts are with them at this most tragic of times."
"This incident highlights the extreme circumstances all firefighters and emergency service workers and volunteers face when working to control bushfires."
The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment said the firefighter's family had been notified and no further personal details were available.
