ADELAIDE – Australians were counting the cost of bushfires on Friday, with officials saying a volunteer firefighter died from a suspected heart attack while battling an eastern blaze and a southern inferno razed at least 35 homes. The latest death came after two people were killed on Wednesday when an “Armageddon-like” blaze swept through parts of South Australia, leaving insurance claims of $44 million in its wake. The 48-year-old firefighter collapsed and died after he and New South Wales state Rural Fire Service (RFS) colleagues were tackling a blaze near Cessnock, north of Sydney, late Thursday. “It’s absolutely tragic, someone goes out for the want of nothing – for free – to make a difference in their community and haven’t been able to make it home,” RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told journalists. “It’s a sobering reminder of the dangers, of the volatile nature that is firefighting and serving and protecting one’s community.” Fires are burning around New South Wales but milder conditions Friday reduced the threat, while in South Australia the weather is expected to ensure fires remain contained. Damage assessments were being made around the town of Pinery, 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of Adelaide, where a blaze claimed two lives and injured 19 others this week, the Country Fire Service (CFS) said. At least 35 homes were destroyed and a further 42 were damaged by the fire, the service said.