Firefighter Stephen Hunt was part of a team responding to a fire at Paul’s Hair World in Oldham Street

The fire broke out in the shop’s underground storeroom at about 2.50pm GMT and was not extinguished until Sunday morning.

Attempts to put out the fire, at Paul’s Hair World in Oldham Street, continued into Sunday morning and were described as particularly difficult due to the complex structure of the shop and the amount of stock inside.

Stephen Hunt, a 38-year-old father of two, had to be pulled out of the fire by colleagues at about 8.35pm last night, and later died in hospital.

Another firefighter, who was working with Mr Hunt at the time, also had to be treated by the ambulance service’s Hazardous Area Response Team, and was described as suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 60 members of the service from crews across Greater Manchester have been involved in tackling the blaze, and they maintained their efforts even as news came through of the death.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is underway and two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter”.

County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said: “We are devastated by the loss of one of our colleagues who has died in the line of duty.

”It is a very sad day for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and all our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends.

“At the minute it’s really too early to say what’s led to the firefighter’s death. It doesn’t look like a building collapse or that he fell through any floors. The early indications are an absolutely massive, ferocious and sudden build-up of heat.”

Detective Superintendent Phil Owen said: ”We are working with our colleagues from the fire service to establish how this fire started. 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.”

The fire service asked the public to express their sympathies for Mr Hunt via its Facebook page www.facebook.com/manchesterfire

One tribute read: “Heartbreaking news, thoughts go out to his family and also to his brave colleagues who continue to fight this fire even as they are grieving.”