Tributes are being paid to a Bury firefighter who lost his life tackling a blaze in Manchester almost a decade ago.

Father-of-two Stephen Hunt died after sustaining injuries in a fire in Manchester city centre in 2013, aged just 38.

Stephen, who was raised in Whitefield before moving to Radcliffe, was based at Philips Park fire station in Manchester and lost his life in a fire at Paul’s Hair World in the Northern Quarter.

The firefighter attended the scene with around 50 other colleagues but got into difficulties while inside the building and collapsed.

Before becoming a fire fighter, Stephen has served in the British Army, as part of the Royal Signals.

In a post of Twitter, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “ Our thoughts are with family members, friends, and colleagues of Firefighter Stephen Hunt, who lost his life nine years ago fighting a fire in Manchester city centre.”

Earlier today GMFRS’s chief fire officer, Dave Russel, also paid tribute to Stephen on Twitter. 

He said: “Today we remember Stephen Hunt, who lost his life in the line of duty, on this day in 2013. Stephen’s death is still felt throughout the Service.

“Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family, loved ones and colleagues, who I’ll join, at 1300 hours today for a short service.”

Stephen’s death was commemorated by the Fire Brigades Union, who paid tribute to him on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the union said: “Today #WeRemember firefighter Stephen Hunt, who lost his life tackling a fire in Manchester on this day in 2013.”

In September 2016, a road in Miles Platting, Manchester close to Philips Park fire station, was named in memory of Stephen.