Heartbreaking scenes as firefighter’s daughter innocently plays by his coffin

Heartbreaking images show the 19-month-old daughter of a "hero" firefighter who died battling the bushfires in Australia innocently playing by his coffin at his funeral.

Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and colleague Geoffrey Keaton, 32, both died when the fire engine he was travelling in crashed just before Christmas.

Poignant scenes at his funeral show one-year-old daughter Charlotte O'Dwyer wearing his helmet at the service.

Other emotional pictures show Charlotte, in a white dress with her hair in pigtails, touching and kissing her father's coffin.

Reports said she wouldn't leave the side of the hero's casket as he was remembered as "a special man".

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The touching pictures taken today at Mr O'Dwyer's emotional service show mourners packed into a church in Sydney.

Little Charlotte was given a service medal awarded posthumously to her dad by the Rural Fire Service, the Sun reports.

Addressing Charlotte and her mother Melissa, rural fire service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said: "Charlotte should know her father was a selfless and special man, who only left because he was a hero."

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He added: "There are no words that can adequately describe our sorrow, our respect, our regard, for the loss of Andrew in that tragic accident."

The young girl was described by her dad as his greatest achievement.

Ms O’Dwyer held her daughter in her arms and lowered her down so she could kiss her dad's coffin.

The coffin was draped in a NSW Fire Service flag.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also addressed mourners at the funeral today.

And firefighters formed a guard of honour as Mr O’Dwyer’s casket was carried into the church with some saluting and others putting their hand on their heart.

Mr O’Dwyer’s heartbroken father Errol told mourners: "He was a free spirit who lived in the present and on his terms.”

Major blazes are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania and authorities predict fires will continue burning until at least March.

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