Volunteer firefighter Zac Carty has his ute stolen while battling Rokewood grass fire

A volunteer firefighter had his ute stolen while he was battling a blaze near a small Golden Plains town on Monday afternoon.

The grass fire near Rokewood was deemed under control around 6pm Monday. Photo: Supplied.

A volunteer firefighter had his ute stolen while he was battling a blaze near a small Golden Plains town on Monday afternoon.

Zac Carty sought public assistance via Facebook to locate his grey 2018 Toyota ute that had tool boxes, an air compressor and Engel fridge in the tray.

The ute’s registration number is AWA972.

The post had been shared 1500 times as of 10.45am Tuesday, generating a number of tips.

One person responded with a photo of the ute and the message: “Seen in Beaufort at about 3.30am this morning. Police notified.”

It is believed the ute went missing from the Werneth Fire Station, 75km west of Geelong, between 5pm and 7pm.

The Toyota ute.

It is understood Mr Carty was helping battle a grass fire near Rokewood.

Country Fire Authority crews rushed to the area after a suspected lightning strike sparked a grass fire, with people in Shelford and Warrambine told on Monday afternoon to leave.

The fire was later deemed under control when a cool change and rain gave some reprieve shortly after 6pm.

On Monday, Geelong reached a top of 42C in the city before dropping to 28C after 6pm.

The scorching conditions saw thousands of people seek relief at beaches across the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast on the Australia Day public holiday.

Originally published as Volunteer firefighter Zac Carty has his ute stolen while battling Rokewood grass fire