Popular publican from historic Victorian country hotel dies in blaze

A publican from a small country town in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley has died after his pub went up in flames.

The second level of the Travellers Rest Hotel in Thorpdale was extensively damaged by fire this morning, with firefighters taking more than an hour to bring the blaze under control.

A search of the decades-old two-storey building led to the discovery of the John Bantock’s body, who lived at and owned the pub.

No other people were in the building at the time of the fire.

"It's terrible ... I'm still sort of reeling, so it's very sad," local baker John Marsh said.

"He was a real character and he was quite a loving fella, and did a lot of the community that people didn't realise. It's a small and close-knit community.

"There are three things in the town - the pub, the bakery and the post office and it's just gone."

Friends have paid tribute to the “epitome of a small town pub owner” who loved to chat to locals.

“Just an all-round outstanding bloke. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Thorpdale community, who were all like family to John,” a statement from Gippsland Solar said.

Friend John Milroy said he would forever remember Mr Bantock, aged in his 60s, who was a “great mate” to both him and “probably half of the valley”.

An arson chemist is investigating the exact cause of the pub fire.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.