Eight fire crews remain in Manchester City Centre at the scene of a fire which tragically claimed the life of a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) firefighter.
The fire is still smouldering but crews have brought it under control and two aerial platforms, jets and ground monitors are being used to get plenty of water onto the building.
Parts of Tib Street and Oldham Street are closed off and roads in the area remain closed.
Crews were called to Oldham Street at 2.50pm on Saturday, July 13 after a blaze broke out at Paul’s Hair World.
Two staff members from the shop tried to tackle the blaze themselves but the fire was too intense. They managed to get everyone out of the building but as a result one suffered burns and another suffered smoke inhalation – both were taken to hospital.
Crews worked tirelessly to fight the blaze but at around 8.35pm, two firefighters got into difficulty inside the building.
Firefighter Stephen Hunt and another firefighter were pulled out of the building by their colleagues before being taken to hospital and sadly Stephen passed away a short time later.
The other firefighter’s injuries are not life-threatening.
County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said: “We have received tremendous support from the public and colleagues in emergency services across the country and we are extremely grateful for this.
“These thoughts and well wishes are greatly appreciated and will help us to get through the next few days which will be extremely difficult for everyone in the Service.
“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.
“It is a very sad day for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and all our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends.
“Details of exactly what happened are unclear at this stage but will be investigated thoroughly and independently.
“We have asked our neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services to immediately start an investigation into the incident and circumstances leading to this terrible tragedy.
“We are also working alongside Greater Manchester Police to establish the cause of the fire.”
Members of the public who want to express their sympathies can do this through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/manchesterfire
