Flags are flying at half mast at Greater Manchester's fire stations in tribute to a firefighter who died in the line of duty.

Today marks 10 years since the death of Stephen Hunt from Bury.

He died after fighting a fire in the Manchester city centre on July 13, 2013.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "A decade on, he is still dearly missed by all who knew him."

Mr Hunt died at the age of just 38.

He was raised in Whitefield and later lived in Radcliffe, and was a father of two - Sam and Charlotte.

 

He had been sent to a fire at Paul's Hair World on Oldham Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Mr Hunt was found collapsed inside the shop as he tackled the blaze

A memorial was set up to him at Philips Park in Manchester where firefighters, family and friends have continued to lay flowers for him.

The Fire Brigades Union also paid tribute to him.

A spokesman said: "Today is the tenth anniversary of losing our friend and brother Stephen Hunt.

"We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty serving the community he loved.

"Stephen is missed by everyone."

The Firefighters Charity also marked the anniversary.

A spokesman said: "On this day, we remember firefighter and father of two Stephen Hunt, who died while tackling a fire in a hairdressers in Manchester's Oldham Street ten years ago.

"Our thoughts are with his loved ones."

An inquest into his death found the blaze had been deliberately started by two 15-year-old girls.

It also concluded that he had been unlawfully killed.

Police and prosecutors opted not to prosecute anyone in relation to the matter.