We are saddened to receive the tragic news yesterday of the death of Stephen Hunt, a firefighter from Greater Manchester who died while tackling a fire on Oldham street in Manchester city centre.

The father-of-two was based at Manchester's Philips Park Fire Station and joined the GMFRS in 2008. 

Our thoughts and condolences are with Stephen's family, friends, and colleagues at this emotional time.

The incident is an unwelcome reminder of the risks all operational personnel are faced with when responding to an emergency call.

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service has asked that those members of the public who wish to express their sympathies can do so through their Facebook page www.facebook.com/manchesterfire