Firefighter Stephen Hunt unlawfully killed
Greater Manchester Fire Service say lessons will be learned over his death.
An Inquest Jury's ruled that Manchester firefighter Stephen Hunt, who died in a blaze at Paul's Hair World three years ago, was unlawfully killed by joint enterprise, after the fire was started deliberately.
The 38-year-old died after getting into difficulty whilst fighting the blaze in July 2013.
Two teenage girls were arrested in connection with the fire and one of them was charged - but the case was later dropped in court.
The inquest, which lasted seven weeks, also heard there was a breakdown in communication during the operation.
WATCH: Stephen's family issued this statement via Area Manager Tony Hunter:
County Fire Officer and Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Peter O’Reilly, said: “I speak for everyone in Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service when I say that we feel the same today as we did when we lost Stephen three years ago and that is utterly, utterly devastated. The inquest has heard and seen some harrowing evidence over seven weeks of intense scrutiny. It has been hard on everyone but our thoughts are always with Stephen’s family first and foremost, who have conducted themselves with dignity and grace despite having to hear and see the most terrible information anyone could hear or see about their son or brother or dad.
“We cannot bring Stephen back and we cannot change the events of that day, as much as we would give everything we have to do so. What we can do is learn from the mistakes that were made to ensure we never face anything like this again. I am sorry for anything anyone from the Service did or did not do that might have changed the outcome for Stephen’s family. It’s clear from the evidence we got some things wrong, although some of Stephen’s colleagues acted with tremendous bravery to try and save his life too.
“As a Service we will now seek to make every conceivable improvement to protect every firefighter who so proudly wears our badge to protect the communities of Greater Manchester. I know they do that selflessly every day despite the clear danger involved. Stephen was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice doing a job he loved and I owe it to his memory to do everything I can to ensure this never happens again.”
Greater Manchester Police also issued a statement following the conclusion of the inquest. Detective Superintendent Peter Marsh said: “Firefighter Stephen Hunt was a committed professional serving the public in a job that his family tell me he loved. He and his colleagues confront danger and go daily into situations most of us would walk away from, and we should rightly thank them for doing this on our behalf “This makes Stephen’s death particularly tragic and I cannot imagine the suffering and upset that his family and friends have gone through, and continue to go through. It is evident he is sadly missed but never forgotten. “GMP investigated this case with support from Merseyside and West Yorkshire Fire Services and the Health and Safety Executive. “This has been a long and complex investigation where we have examined the actions of individuals and organisations in order to establish the facts around Stephen’s death and I hope that now, at the end of the inquest, his family can fully understand what took place on that day and have some of the answers to the many questions they have had throughout the enquiry. "A prosecution file was submitted to the CPS at the time of the criminal investigation and a teenage girl was issued with a summons to appear in court for an offence of an arson offence, in connection with the fire that claimed Stephen’s life. This case was later discontinued at court. “Following the findings from the Coroner’s inquest, GMP will now review the case with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine if any further action is to be taken.”