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Two teenage girls held over firefighter's death Two teenage girls held over firefighter's death
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Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a firefighter was killed tackling a blaze at a city centre hair salon.Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a firefighter was killed tackling a blaze at a city centre hair salon.
Stephen Hunt, 38, was part of a team responding to a fire at Paul's Hair World in Oldham Street, Manchester, when he and a colleague got into difficulties on Saturday night. Stephen Hunt, 38, was part of a team responding to a fire at Paul's Hair World in Oldham Street, Manchester, when he and a colleague got into difficulties on Saturday night. Colleagues pulled him and another firefighter out of the building. Paramedics treated them at the scene and took them to hospital but Hunt, a firefighter since 2008, was declared dead a few minutes later. His colleague is still being treated in hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Both were pulled from the building and taken to hospital but the father of two was declared dead on arrival. Steve McGuirk, county fire officer for Greater Manchester fire and rescue service, said Hunt had two teenage children and that his family was "absolutely grief-stricken".
A spokesman for Greater Manchester police said: "A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is under way and two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter." "I don't think I have ever seen as much shock and sheer devastation on people's faces," said McGuirk. "The firefighters are clearly devastated by the loss of their colleague and I pay tribute to their professionalism, courage and dedication – while in mourning they are continuing to keep the community safe."
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 firefighter, started. Emergency services were called to the blaze just before 3pm on Saturday. By 3.50pm, 12 crews, comprising more than 60 firefighters, were tackling the blaze. McGuirk said the crews thought they were starting to get it under control by about 8.30pm but for an unknown reason, a "BA emergency" was declared – which is a signal to evacuate the building. It was then that Hunt and his colleague were pulled from the building.
"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." "The early indications are an absolutely massive, ferocious and sudden build-up of heat," said McGuirk. "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."
Hunt's family were described as "absolutely grief-stricken".
The 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."
He added: "At the minute it's really too early to say what has led to the firefighter'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 buildup 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."
McGuirk said he could not rule out that the sudden intense heat may have been generated by steam or chemicals inside the hair salon.
He 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.
"Stephen had been a dedicated firefighter 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."
The fire began at about 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.
McGuirk said fire crews thought they were starting to get the blaze under control by about 8.30pm on Saturday night but then a "BA emergency" was declared – which is a signal that the building must be evacuated.
"When that took place two firefighters were pulled from the building by their colleagues, very seriously injured," said McGuirk.
Paramedics treated the firefighters at the scene and took them to hospital but Hunt was declared dead when he arrived at hospital just a few minutes later. The other firefighter is not critically injured.
"We are really now trying to understand what happened and what led to this awful tragedy," McGuirk said.
The chief fire officer, who has been in the fire service for more than 35 years, said Hunt had two teenage children and it was still a "very raw situation" for his family.
"I don't think I have ever seen as much shock and sheer devastation on people's faces," he said.
"The suddenness of what happened really took everybody by surprise so it is really important that we do understand what happened because it was something extraordinary and out of step with the way the incident was proceeding."
He added: "The firefighters are clearly devastated by the loss of their colleague and I pay tribute to their professionalism, courage and dedication. While in mourning they are continuing to keep the community safe."
Neighbouring fire and rescue services have started an investigation into the incident and circumstances leading to the tragedy alongside Greater Manchester police.Neighbouring fire and rescue services have started an investigation into the incident and circumstances leading to the tragedy alongside Greater Manchester police.
A spokesman for the Chief Fire Officers Association said: "We are all devastated by the news of the tragic loss of firefighter Stephen Hunt, who has been killed in the line of duty. 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 firefighter, 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."
"The Chief Fire Officers Association has offered its full support to chief fire officer Steve McGuirk at what are the most difficult of times for Greater Manchester fire and rescue service. Colleagues from neighbouring services are currently providing direct support and we will remain ready to help in whatever way we can. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said the investigation would draw on expertise from around the country. "This is a terrible tragedy, he said. "Firefighters in Greater Manchester and around the UK are devastated by the news. The thoughts of everyone in the fire and rescue service will be Stephen's family, friends and colleagues at this time."
"We offer our sincere condolences to Stephen's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time." A spokeswoman for Paul's Hair World said: "We are greatly saddened to learn that fireman Stephen Hunt lost his life tackling the blaze at our Manchester shop yesterday.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the Greater Manchester fire service at this difficult and sad time."
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