Two girls arrested over Manchester fire fighter death

Greater Manchester Police released the two 15-year-old girls on bail to a date in September, pending further inquiries.

Detective Superintendent Phil Owen said: “We are working with our colleagues from the fire service to establish how this fire, which has tragically claimed the life of a fire fighter, started.

“We have already arrested two juveniles in connection with the fire and our enquiries are continuing. If anyone has any information about how the fire started please get in touch.”

Anyone with information on the fire should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The blaze killed fire fighter Stephen Hunt, 38 and left his colleague in hospital, although he is not believed to be critically injured. The pair were part of a team tackling the large fire at a city centre shop, which began on Saturday afternoon.

Hunt and his colleague got into difficulties while inside the building, attempting to put out the fire at Paul’s Hair World in Oldham Street, Manchester. Both were pulled from the building and taken to hospital but Hunt, a father-of-two, was declared dead on arrival.

His family and co-workers described themselves as “absolutely grief-stricken” by his death.

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, Mr Hunt’s family said: “It is extremely hard to capture all of what Stephen means to our family. Stephen was an old-fashioned gentleman with manners that are rare in this day and age.

Stephen was an old-fashioned gentleman with manners that are rare in this day and age. Stephen Hunt’s family

“With core values which included loving his family, being the best father that he could be, loving and affectionate to those that were close to him, Stephen lived to serve his country, having served for seven years in the Royal Signals and then becoming a firefighter, which was a career that he was very proud of.

“The whole family will miss spending time with Stephen, none more so than his son, daughter and grandmother. We loved his sense of humour and are very proud of him and what he brought to our lives.”

County Fire Officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Steve McGuirk, said: “We are devastated by the loss of one of our colleagues who has died in the line of duty.”

Thank you all so much for your messages of support, they are appreciated. It is an absolute tragedy and we are heartbroken

— Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) July 14, 2013

Mr McGuirk said Hunt is thought to have been enveloped by some kind of “super heat”.

He added: “At the minute it’s really too early to say what’s led to the fire fighter’s death. It doesn’t look like a building collapse or that he fell through any floors. The early indications are an absolutely massive, ferocious and sudden build-up of heat.

“But where that came from and what caused that we have got absolutely no idea at this stage. That’s really the purpose of the investigation that we are now engaged in.”

Mr McGuirk said he could not rule out that the sudden intense heat may have been generated by steam or chemicals from inside the hair salon.

To a brave man who was only doing his job. Rest In Peace. Floral tribute at the scene

He said: “We never expect to lose a colleague in this way and it brings home the dangers that our fire fighters put themselves in every day to keep the community safe.

“Stephen had been a dedicated fire fighter since 2008 and we are all in a state of shock. It is a very sad day for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and all our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends.”

Floral tributes were being left on the scene at the corner of Tib Street and Church Street.

One tribute read: “To a brave man who was only doing his job. Rest In Peace.”

The fire began around 2.50pm on Saturday and is still being dealt with. Details of exactly what happened are unclear but an investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched. Arson is not being ruled out. Neighbouring fire and rescue services, as well as the police, have started an investigation into the incident.