CFS volunteer killed while fighting at Nantawarra described as a "rare gentleman" by brigade captain TRAGEDY: CFS volunteer Andrew Harrison was killed after sustaining injuries fighting the fire at Nantawarra. Picture: Nine News. A FIREFIGHTER who tragically died from burns sustained while helping to contain a fire on his neighbour's property at Nantawarra on Friday was a "wonderful man" and "absolute champion Dad." Mt Templeton CFS volunteer Andrew Harrison, 38, was fighting the blaze on his own farm firefighting unit when he suffered severe burns. He was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition with severe burns to much of his body and later died. On Saturday, his wife Kellie Harrison gave permission to republish a statement she posted on Facebook where she described Mr Harrison as a "wonderful man, so kind, loving and caring." "Andrew died doing what Andrew did best, which was caring and looking after people," she said. He was the very best husband any girl could wish for, and an absolute champion Dad - we know he just adored our family. She thanked the brave volunteers who "did everything they possibly could to get my husband home to me and my two beautiful boys." This was a tragic accident and I want everyone to know that we do not blame anyone for what happened. Me and my boys, Thomas and Henry, will miss him immensely and it will be a long rough lonely road without him, but we know that we are loved, and we know we have the support of an entire community. CFS volunteers John Fitzgerald and Denis Story seen mopping up a blaze near Whitwarta. Mrs Harrison also thanked the multitude of people who had offered her family their condolences. "We are very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends in our community of Balaklava," she said An emotional CFS colleague, Mt Templeton brigade captain Robert Hoepner, described Mr Harrison as "a rare gentleman." He had good old-fashioned morals and manners and was heavily involved in his community. He was always the first to put up his hand to help out the CFS and usually had the truck ready to go before most of us even reached the shed.  CFS chief officer Greg Nettleton said Mr Harrison had been a CFS volunteer "for a number of years" and was survived by a partner and children. He said firefighters around the country would be affected by Mr Harrison's death. "Our condolences go to the family, the immediate and extended family of the firefighter and our condolences also go to his colleagues and friends in the district," he said. He said other firefighting units across Australia had contacted him and expressed their sympathy for the family's loss. "All firefighters across Australia today will be feeling the loss of a colleague,"" he said. At this time all firefighters grieve at the loss of a fellow firefighter. He said firefighting was a dangerous practice which was why volunteers were trained and aware of the dangers. The nature of our business is one where there are risks associated with it. Hundreds of others - including interstate firefighting brigades - offered their condolences to firefighters and Mr Harrison's family and friends via the CFS Facebook page which changed its profile picture to include a black armband. Among them was Westleigh Rural Fire Brigade, which wrote: "Our deepest sympathies from your colleagues across the border in NSW. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all today. Mr Nettleton urged all those living in the bush to exercise utmost caution ahead of what he acknowledged was likely to be a long, hot and dangerous fire season. "A number of indicators we look at would indicate our fire season is coming in earlier,"" he said. "The dryness of the soil, the forecast long range weather forecast of warmer and dryer build up, (indicates) that yes we are in for a fairly long fire season if we don't get rain."" Two other men were treated for less serious injuries at Balaklava Hospital after they were also injured in the blaze on Friday. Originally published as Killed CFS firefighter: Best husband and champion dad