‘Much-loved’ experienced firefighter dies battling blaze
A “much-loved” and experienced firefighter has died while battling a rural blaze in South Australia.
Peter Curtis, 65, died at Pinkawillinie Conservation Park in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula on Sunday afternoon.
SA Country Fire Service chief executive Brett Loughlin said the alarm was raised when firefighters realised one member was missing on the fire ground.
They launched a land and air search and found Curtis. But he could not be revived.
“The specific details of this incident are obviously subject to an investigation and I can’t go into them further at this point in time”, Loughlin said in Adelaide on Monday.
The fire is thought to been sparked by a lightning strike on Saturday.
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Loughlin said about 12 firefighters were working to put out the 10-hectare blaze and had been building an earth break around the flames.
He would not speculate on what might have happened, saying only everyone involved acted with courage, compassion and professionalism.
Curtis was a firefighter for 30 years and a senior member of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, holding leadership roles including strike team leader and sector commander.
“Peter was much-loved and deeply respected by everyone,” Loughlin said.
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“He was admired for his dedication. He was no stranger to fighting fires in this part of the world.”
National Parks and Public Lands executive director Mike Williams said Curtis was well known in his local area and would be missed.
“Peter was known for his diligence and hard work in our region of the Southern Flinders, and especially his work with educating and mentoring our younger staff,” he said.
He is the first SA National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter to die at work.
SA Emergency Services Minister Rhiannon Pearce said Curtis’ death had been deeply felt by all in the emergency services sector, the local community and the brigade.
“He has been deeply passionate about keeping his community safe for a very long time and we honour the work that he has done over all these years,” she said.
Authorities have contacted Curtis’s family to offer support.
-AAP
