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Manchester fire: Two teens arrested after firefighter dies | Manchester fire: Two teens arrested after firefighter dies |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a firefighter was killed tackling a blaze in Manchester. | Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a firefighter was killed tackling a blaze in Manchester. |
Stephen Hunt was among 60 firefighters called to the fire in the store-room of Paul's Hair World in Oldham Street. | |
A spokesman said the 38-year-old got into difficulty at about 20:35 BST along with another firefighter and both were taken to hospital. | |
Mr Hunt, a father-of-two, was based at Manchester's Philips Park Fire Station. | Mr Hunt, a father-of-two, was based at Manchester's Philips Park Fire Station. |
He 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 the shop 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. | 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. | |
"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." |
'Devastated by news' | |
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. |
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "There is a great feeling of solidarity amongst firefighters as a result of the job that they do and the risks that they face and this will be keenly felt by firefighters across the UK and indeed internationally." | |
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." |