Volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul is being remembered as a family man and admired member of his community after he was killed in the line of duty when ferocious winds rolled his firetruck.
The 28-year-old was expecting his first child with his wife Megan when he died fighting the 26,000-hectare Green Valley fire on Monday night.
Members of the McPaul family took to social media to remember him on Tuesday, with many of them changing their profile pictures to Rural Fire Service emblems.
"We have lost another champion bloke from our family, we are all shattered and can’t believe that it is really true," one family member wrote.
"Sam, you will be truly missed and have gone down a hero trying to save the things you care about."
His cousin, Brett McPaul, said he was "absolutely heartbroken".
Samuel McPaul is being remembered by his loved ones. Source: Facebook
"A beautiful soul taken way too soon," he wrote.
Mr McPaul was a well-known member of the NSW basketball community, having played on, coached and organised teams in Wagga Wagga and Moruya, where he was born.
"Great sadness overwhelms us today with the passing of Sam McPaul," the Wagga Wagga Basketball Association wrote.
"As our administrator, state league player and coach, he was very well respected by all who played with him, or against him, and those coached by him."
'Sam McPaul was the best of us'
In said in a statement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, "I cannot imagine the terrible sense of loss and grief that Sam's family are now feeling".
"I have spoken to Megan to extend my deepest sympathies and our love and support at this terrible time and express that same sentiment on behalf of the entire country. Sam McPaul was the best of us," he said.
"This is devastating news and I also extend my sincere condolences to his entire family, friends and fellow brigade members. It is an unimaginable loss and one felt by the entire country."
Labor leader Anthony Albanese told reporters on Tuesday, "this is an enormous tragedy".
"Every loss of life is one too many. We've seen far too many during this bushfire crisis," he said.
