A beloved great-grandfather who was described as a local 'larrikin' has been identified as the first victim of bushfires in Victoria's East Gippsland region. Mick Roberts, 67, was found passed away in his fire damage residence in Buchan on Wednesday morning. His body was discovered by his nephew Jason who informed the rest of the family. Mr Roberts neice, Leah Parsons, told the Herald Sun her uncle and two of his mates had been painting his house before bushfires closed in on the area. 'They ran into the river on the property but they couldn't get him to go,' she told the publication. 'He said he needed to go into the shed for a minute and they never saw him again.' Mr Roberts had just returned to his 450 hectare cattle property in Buchan after spending Christmas in Melbourne. He had a daughter, step daughter, step son, and great grandchildren who are 'numb' with grief according to Ms Parsons. 'We are devastated and numb. He was my favourite uncle … his home was a constant swinging door of people who would come to visit. He was very very loved.' Share this article Share She also said he was seen as a 'legend' and 'storyteller' in the local community and was the type of person who would defend his home and would 'not run from anything.' The town of Buchan has been ravaged by the East Gippsland bushfires with 24 structures in the town destroyed. About 200 residents are reportedly sheltering in the local pub, there is no in the town and roads remain closed. The East Gippsland fires now cover an area of about 550,000 hectares, have destroyed at least 50 strucutres, and several people are reported missing. Emergency warnings in the region were downgraded to 'Watch and Act' status on Wednesday. The Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules has been deployed to the region and is expected to arrive off the coast of Mallacoota on Thursday morning. ● Subcribe: #ExploreTV5s #BreakingNews #BreakingNewsUS
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