Firefighters in Manchester are mourning the death of a colleague found hanged at the station where he worked.

Green Watch crew manager Lee Gaunt, 41, was discovered at 4.40am by colleagues at Stalybridge fire station on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after they were unable to revive him.

County fire officer Peter O'Reilly said: "We are devastated by Lee's death. He was an extremely well liked and popular member of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and we are utterly distraught that he has gone.

"We have contacted everyone on Green Watch this morning and it has left the entire Service in shock. Our firefighters are brave people but this will test our strength to the extreme.

"We have three priorities today - to look after Lee's family, his watch and everyone else who is part of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service family.

"We are all so sad and it will take some time to sink in but we are supporting each other as much as we can.

"In time, through police investigations and the coronial process, we will begin to understand what has happened but for now my thoughts are with Lee's family and all his friends."

Mourners also paid tribute to Mr Gaunt on social media, describing him as a "legend".

Writing on Facebook, Mandy Saunders said: "This was one our finest firemen in Tameside who fit our smoke alarms for deaf people in Tameside . My deepest sympathies go to his family and colleagues in the fire services.

"So sad xxx RIP Lee Gaunt. From Mandy Saunders and DEAF TEAM (Tameside MBC)."

Jamie Holt wrote on Facebook: "RIP lee saved so many lives what a legend."

Secretary for the Fire Brigades Union Greater Manchester Gary Keary said: "The Fire Brigades Union are deeply saddened to hear about Lee's sudden passing.

"Our thoughts are with Lee's family, friends and colleagues at this time."

According to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Gaunt had been due to be a witness at the forthcoming inquest into the death of fellow firefighter Stephen Hunt who died while tackling a blaze at a shop in Manchester in July 2013.

It is understood that Mr Gaunt had been in charge of one of several breathing apparatus controls set up at the scene - but not the one that Mr Hunt was on.

Mr Hunt, 38, was one of 60 firefighters who had tackled the blaze, but got into difficulties inside the building. He was taken to hospital but did not recover from his injuries.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service tweeted to say that it would be flying flags at half-mast in memory of Mr Gaunt.

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