Neighbours pay tribute to ‘lovely man’, 73, killed in shed fire at Modbury Heights

Neighbours in a northeastern suburbs street are mourning the loss of an “icon” neighbour after the 73-year-old was killed in a shed fire.

A man, 73, has died at Modbury Heights after a fire broke out in a shed that was being used as a living space. Picture: Dixie Sulda

Neighbours have paid tribute to a “lovely man” and “icon” of the area, who died in a shed fire at Modbury Heights.

The fire broke out about 6.30am Sunday, in a shed on Currawong Crescent that had been converted into a sleep out.

Fire crews rushed to the scene and extinguished the blaze within 25 minutes.

The rear shed fire had spread to the neighbouring shed and caused limited damage.

On searching the shed, police found the body of a 73-year-old man.

Neighbours were devastated by the tragedy.

“Every street has that icon, and he was it,” said neighbour, Peter.

Peter was in shock when he heard his neighbour had died and said the father-of-three would be missed by many.

Gary and Christine Steele heard an explosion in the house across the road and came out to see the commotion.

“I heard all these voices and thought something must be going on,” Mr Steele said.

The couple have lived on the street since 1977 and said the victim was there when they moved in.

“He was a lovely man, he’s really the main character of the street, he yells out to everyone and says ‘hello’,” Ms Steele said.

Jamie Bussenschutt woke to fire trucks in the street about 7am.

“I woke up … and saw some red and blue lights flashing and thought ‘what’s going on’”, Mr Bussenschutt said.

“By the time I came out the front they’d pretty much gotten on top of it.”

He was saddened to hear his neighbour had passed away.

“He was a bit quirky … so it’s sad to hear he’s gone.”

A report is being prepared for the coroner, and fire cause investigators are at the scene.