A father-of-three and his devoted service dog have been tragically killed in a devastating canal boat fire on Christmas Day in Greater Manchester.
A Tragic Discovery on Christmas Morning
Emergency services were called to a blaze on a narrowboat on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal near Crooke Marina in Wigan in the early hours of 25 December 2025. Police, fire crews, and paramedics rushed to the scene in Standish at approximately 3.30am following reports of a fire.
It was later confirmed that a man and his dog had been found dead inside. They were identified as 43-year-old Gabriel Murphy, also known as Philip, and his five-year-old service dog, Hugo.
A Life of Service and a Deep Bond
Gabriel Murphy was an Army veteran who later served his community as a paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). His daughter, Juliette, explained that Hugo was a vital support animal who helped her father manage PTSD following his military service.
In a heartbreaking tribute shared on Boxing Day, Juliette wrote: "I am heartbroken to share that my dad, Philip and his service dog Hugo tragically passed away yesterday. He was deeply loved by a lot of people."
She described her father as a 'gentle' man who 'carried more pain than he ever showed', and highlighted that the catastrophic fire destroyed the boat and all their possessions, leaving no physical keepsakes behind.
A Family's Double Loss and a Fundraiser for Farewells
The tragedy was compounded by a further heartbreaking mistake. After the fire, Hugo's remains were cremated and his ashes discarded by a charity, meaning Gabriel and his loyal companion can never be laid to rest together as the family had wished.
Juliette has launched an online fundraiser to cover funeral costs, stating her father had no life insurance in place. She expressed her gratitude for the public's support, saying the donations would help give her father "a beautiful and respectful farewell".
An investigation into the cause of the fire was initiated, with a police cordon remaining around the marina throughout Christmas Day. Moving social media tributes have remembered Gabriel as a 'gentle giant' and a 'good man who will be hugely missed'.
