Fatal blaze

By Casey Neill
UPPER Ferntree Gully’s CFA crew is mourning the loss of a “great fireman” following a fatal house fire last week.
Police are still investigating what caused the blaze that destroyed Brigade member Russell Pitt’s Jean Street home last Thursday 12 February, but believe it was deliberately lit.
Knox CIU Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Goldrisk said DNA testing was needed to confirm the identity of a man found dead in the home.
He said police had contacted Mr Pitt’s father and sister.
“All the factors indicate that it’s him but we’d hate to make a mistake with something like this,” he said.
Act Det Sen Sgt Goldrisk said circumstances surrounding the death were not suspicious.
He said injuries to the deceased resulted from the fire.
“There were injuries that gave rise to suspicion,” he said.
“But the post mortem ruled that out.”
The Coroner and Arson Squad are now investigating the blaze.
“It’s just another terrible tragedy,” Act Det Sen Sgt Goldrisk said.
Mr Pitt was taking a break from battling the Yarra Glen and Mirboo North fire fronts.
He was due to return to the blazes on Friday.
Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade captain Peter Smith said Mr Pitt would be sorely missed.
Mr Smith said the fire was burning “quite ferociously” when he arrived shortly after 3.40am.
“When the pager went off and I read the address I said to my wife ‘It’s bloody Russell’s house’,” he said.
“When we contained it that’s when I think it started to hit.”
The crew stood down once the blaze was under control. The Ferntree Gully and Upwey brigades took over.
Mr Smith and his men returned to their station.
“No-one felt like going home,” he said.
The townspeople rallied around the shattered crew, offering well-wishes and supplying free breakfast and lunch.
“The locals were absolutely magnificent,” Mr Smith said.
The brigade was stood down from Victoria’s major fire fronts following the tragedy. They were still on call for local incidents.
Mr Smith said Mr Pitt was a very funny man at times, but could also be very serious.
“He was a great fireman and a great person who’d do anything for you,” he said.
“He was a bit of a dag – I think that sums him up beautifully.”
He said the 51-year-old was very private, but was heavily involved in his community.
Mr Pitt was a local gardening club member and was vocal on Knox Council matters.
“He’d go and be a pain in the council,” Mr Smith said.
The tragedy has forced the brigade to again postpone its recruitment drive.
It is now scheduled for Friday 20 February from 4pm to 7pm and all day Saturday 21 February at Ferntree Gully Plaza on Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully.