Tributes pour in for dedicated firefighter who died battling blaze

A Sydney community is mourning the loss of firefighter Michael Kidd, who died on Tuesday while extinguishing a blaze at a luxury holiday rental in Grose Vale.

Flowers have been placed outside the building where the 51-year-old died as tributes pour in for the husband, father, volunteer and running enthusiast.

NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said Kidd was a dedicated firefighter, while Kidd's running coach Brendan Davis said he was a well-loved member of the community.

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"He was a very kind and gentle person, was always willing to have a chat with people and he loved the community," Davis said.

"He was looking forward to doing Ultra Trail Australia next year, that was his next challenge, he was getting right into it."

Running mate Dianna Murry said Kidd always "wanted to see everyone do their best".

"People that knew him, even if they didn't know him well, everybody knew that he was just a kind, lovely human," Murry said.

New footage of the fire has come to light, with witnesses telling 9News they believe the blaze started in the kitchen of the $3.2 million luxury rental property.

Kidd's family will be offered a brigade funeral with full honours to send off the firefighter, who lived a life of service to his community.

The firefighter died after he was struck by a falling beam while searching the burning home.