The family of a firefighter killed tackling a blaze at a city centre shop have paid tribute to a loving father-of-two and “an old-fashioned gentleman”.
Former soldier Stephen Hunt, 38, was part of a team responding to a fire at Paul’s Hair World on Oldham Street, Manchester, on Saturday night when he and a colleague got into difficulties.
Both were pulled from the building and taken to hospital but Mr Hunt was declared dead on arrival.
Police questioned two 15-year-old girls on suspicion of manslaughter. They have been bailed to a date in September pending further inquiries.
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.
“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.”
A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is now under way.
Detective superintendent Phil Owen said: “We have already arrested two juveniles in connection with the fire and our inquiries are continuing. If anyone has any information about how the fire started, please get in touch.”
It is thought Mr Hunt was enveloped by some kind of “super heat” which took the officers inside the building by surprise and which may have been fuelled by the chemicals stored at the business, which is a supplier of hair extensions and hair beauty products.
Steve McGuirk, county fire officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, described Mr Hunt, who was based at Philips Park Fire Station, as a “consummate professional” and a “great firefighter”.
He said it was “too early” to say what led to the firefighter’s death, adding: “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.”
Paramedics treated the firefighters at the scene and took them to hospital but Mr Hunt was declared dead when he arrived at hospital just a few minutes later. The other firefighter is not critically injured.