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Firefighter dies tackling Manchester shop blaze Manchester fire: Two teens arrested after firefighter dies
(35 minutes later)
A firefighter has died tackling a large blaze in Manchester city centre. Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a firefighter was killed tackling a blaze in Manchester.
Stephen Hunt, 38, was among 60 firefighters called to the fire at the store-room of a shop in Oldham Street.Stephen Hunt, 38, was among 60 firefighters called to the fire at the store-room of a shop in Oldham Street.
A spokesman said he got into difficulty at about 20:35 BST along with another firefighter and both were pulled out and taken to hospital. A spokesman said he got into difficulty at about 20:35 BST along with another firefighter and both were taken to hospital.
County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said: "We are devastated by the loss of one of our colleagues who has died in the line of duty." Mr Hunt, a father-of-two, was based at Manchester's Philips Park Fire Station.
Mr Hunt, a father-of-two, based at Manchester's Philips Park Fire Station, was confirmed dead in hospital. He was confirmed dead in hospital.
The other injured firefighter is not thought to have life-threatening injuries, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.The other injured firefighter is not thought to have life-threatening injuries, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.
'Dedicated firefighter''Dedicated firefighter'
The fire broke out in the underground store-room of Paul's Hair World at about 14:50 BST and was still being dealt with on Sunday morning.The fire broke out in the underground store-room of Paul's Hair World at about 14:50 BST and was still being dealt with on Sunday morning.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze had been particularly difficult to tackle because of the complex layout of the building and the amount of material inside.Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze had been particularly difficult to tackle because of the complex layout of the building and the amount of material inside.
County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said: "We are devastated by the loss of one of our colleagues who has died in the line of duty.
"We never expect to lose a colleague in this way and it brings home the dangers that our firefighters put themselves in every day to keep the community safe," Mr McGuirk said."We never expect to lose a colleague in this way and it brings home the dangers that our firefighters put themselves in every day to keep the community safe," Mr McGuirk said.
"Stephen had been a dedicated firefighter since 2008 and we are all in a state of shock.""Stephen had been a dedicated firefighter since 2008 and we are all in a state of shock."
An investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the police to establish the cause of the blaze. Mr McGuirk said at this stage arson was not being ruled out.An investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the police to establish the cause of the blaze. Mr McGuirk said at this stage arson was not being ruled out.
The Merseyside and Lancashire fire services are expected to lead an investigation into the circumstances around Mr Hunt's death.The Merseyside and Lancashire fire services are expected to lead an investigation into the circumstances around Mr Hunt's death.
Firefighters remain at the scene tackling the blaze and Mr McGuirk paid tribute to their "professionalism, courage and dedication" while "mourning" their colleague's death.Firefighters remain at the scene tackling the blaze and Mr McGuirk paid tribute to their "professionalism, courage and dedication" while "mourning" their colleague's death.
Vij Randeniya, president of the Chief Fire Officers Association, said: "We are all devastated by the news".Vij Randeniya, president of the Chief Fire Officers Association, said: "We are all devastated by the news".
"We offer our sincere condolences to Stephen's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.""We offer our sincere condolences to Stephen's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."