POLICE have revealed that a man found dead after a grass fire at Little River last week was a 69-year-old farmer who lived in Little River-Ripley Road.
His body was found lying face-down in the backyard of the property on April 16, after CFA crews rushed there to battle a small but fast-running fire.
Little River CFA captain Terry Hedt said the man had been trying to back-burn grass and lost control of the blaze.
“The poor fellow had a fire going and it just got away from him.
“He must have panicked and [been] stressed,” he said.
The fire brigade notified police and paramedics.
The man was alone at the property at the time.
Mr Hedt said the fire burnt a shed full of mechanical items, causing clouds of thick, black smoke.
“There were a few explosions of what was possibly fuel tanks or gas cylinders,” he said.
Eight fire crews took about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
The man’s body was found on burnt grass, but investigators have confirmed the man did not die from burns. Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
Geelong police are still investigating another grass fire in Little River-Ripley Road that burned 50 hectares on January 6.
Police suspect the fire was deliberately lit, but no one has been charged.
Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
