POLICE and prosecutors have decided to "take no further action" over the death of a Bury firefighter.

Father-of-two Stephen Hunt, aged 38, did not survive injuries sustained while attempting to tackle a huge fire at Paul's Hair World in Manchester's Northern Quarter in 2013.

An inquest jury ruled in May it was probable two girls, aged 15 at the time, deliberately started the fire after smoking cigarettes outside the building.

In the wake of the fatal blaze three years ago the pair of teenagers, one a Bolton schoolgirl, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

The Bolton girl was later charged with arson while being reckless as to whether life was endangered, which she had entered a not guilty plea.

However the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the charges just days before the Manchester Crown Court trial was due to begin, citing that accidental ignition could not be ruled out.

But in the wake of the inquest verdict of unlawful killing, senior coroner for Manchester Nigel Meadows reported the findings to the CPS to decide what action, if any, should be taken.

The CPS said in a statement: "Following the outcome of the inquest in April and May of 2016, we carried out a further detailed review of all the evidence relating to the tragic death of Stephen Hunt.

"That review was undertaken in consultation with Greater Manchester Police and included the consideration of both the original case papers together with the evidence which was presented to HM Coroner. 

"The review also incorporated a further assessment of the expert evidence in the case together with the provision of additional advice from a senior independent barrister.

"It is right that the CPS fully considers the outcome of the inquest and the extensive evidence heard during the inquest hearing.

"However, in this instance it was concluded that no new and compelling evidence was available such that a fresh prosecution could be brought."

Greater Manchester Police said: "Following the findings from the coroner’s inquest, the Crown Prosecution Service and GMP reviewed the case and it has been determined that no further action will be taken."

Mr Hunt grew up in Whitefield, lived in New Road, Radcliffe, and worked as part of the crew at Philips Park Fire Station in Miles Platting, east Manchester.

A new residential road near his old fire station has been named in memory of the former soldier, who served in the Royal Corps of Signals and experienced a six-month tour in Bosnia.