Manchester Fire: Two Teenagers Arrested on Suspicion of Manslaughter after Fireman Dies
Just a month after Preston Crown Court, U.K. heard the argument that four siblings died of smoke inhalation after teenager Dyson Allen, 19, deliberately started a fire in the wardrobe of a bedroom, there comes reports that two teenage girls, 15, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a fire-fighter died fighting a huge blaze in the store-room of a hair product supply store in Manchester on Saturday.
The two teenagers were later released after questioning over their alleged role in starting the fire. They have been released on bail until September. There are no confirmed reports on what caused the fire but U.K.'s leading tabloid, The Sun, reports that a discarded, still-lit cigarette is likely the culprit.
Paul Barnett, store owner, told the tabloid that cops believe that a discarded, still-lit cigarette blew under the back door of the shop, starting the fire. "I went to put it out with the fire extinguishers but couldn't. Everything is dry," he told The Sun, adding that wigs and hair extensions were in the cardboard boxes -- that just went up.
The Telegraph, however, reports that a woman claimed that a teenage girl had been seen spraying an aerosol can and lighting it.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told the media after making the arrest, "A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is underway and two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter."
"We are working with our colleagues from the fire service to establish how this fire, which has tragically claimed the life of a fire fighter, started," said Detective Superintendent Phil Owen. "We have already arrested two juveniles in connection with the fire and our enquiries are continuing. If anyone has any information about how the fire started please get in touch."
More than 60 fire-fighters were at the spot to tackle the blaze that started Saturday afternoon, including Stephen Hunt. BBC reports that he and one of his colleagues were taken to the hospital after they got into a difficulty. Mr Hunt succumbed to his injuries while his colleague has sustained no major, life-threatening injury.
In September, 2012, a man had died in a fire in Greater Manchester, which is also thought to have been started by a discarded, still-lit cigarette. According to reports, nearly 50 per cent of fires in the U.K. are deliberately started by teenagers or adults.