Bundaberg and Biggenden residents pay tribute to Todd Mooney and his daughter Kirra

Tributes have poured in for a former Burnett Heads baker and his daughter after the pair tragically died in a shed fire at Biggenden.

Todd Mooney left an impression on all those who knew him.

A heartbroken community spanning the Wide Bay Burnett has paid tribute to a father and daughter killed in a horror fire at Biggenden on Tuesday.

Todd Mooney, 54, and his daughter Kirra, 10, were found dead after the ferocious fire destroyed a shed on their rural property, with early investigations suggesting the incident was a heartbreaking accident.

Mr Mooney owned the Biggenden Bakery with fiance Bec, who he was due to marry in coming days.

But before making the tree change to Biggenden, Mr Mooney had been a well-loved baker about an hour away in the seaside town of Burnett Heads near Bundaberg.

In 2019, Mr Mooney talked to this publication about his move from the beach to the country and his passion for reopening the famous Biggenden Bakery.

A baker for more than three decades, Mr Mooney applied for his first job as a young man, beating around 50 other contenders and the rest came naturally.

And while he said he‘d miss the sea breeze when he made the move to the rural Biggenden community, he spoke of his passion for the community and how it made it all worthwhile.

At the time, Mr Mooney said the secret to making a good loaf of bread was time.

“Plus being made with TLC” he said.

“I really just love making bread.”

Police are investigating following the horror fire at Biggenden.

Always a hard worker, he‘d rise before midnight and work through till 4pm every day.

His dedication was not lost on locals who knew his smiling face and bought his quality baked goods.

Brydon Jones, believed to be Kirra‘s brother, commented briefly online to pay tribute to his little sister and dad.

“To my stepdad and my beautiful sister,” he wrote, before adding a heart emoji.

Another family member, Ella Palmer, believed to be Kirra‘s cousin, also paid tribute to her “uncle Todd” and his daughter.

Local couple Imran and Toni said they were heartbroken by the loss of such a good person.

“Sad to hear,” they posted.

“He and his wife to be helped our daughter with a job at their bakery here in Burnett Heads after she left high school.

“...he and his wife were very kind to our 18-year-old daughter after leaving high school, in giving her a job and teaching her the skills of looking after a bakery here at Burnett Heads, he was always very patient and kind to her.”

Tracey Hutcheon also paid tribute, saddened by the heartbreaking timing of the incident.

“Another family grieving before Christmas,” she said.

“My heart goes out to the family.”

Biggenden locals also joined the chorus of community members heartbroken by the loss of the pair.

“To dearest Bec, words cannot express my deepest condolences for you and your children and extended families,” Katherine Ratcliff said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.”

Originally published as Bundaberg and Biggenden residents pay tribute to Todd Mooney and his daughter Kirra