Gabriel died alongside his service dog Hugo in the barge blaze in Wigan
A man and his service dog who both tragically died in a fire on a canal boat in Greater Manchester at Christmas have been named as his daughter paid an emotional tribute.
Emergency services raced to the incident in Wigan, at the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, close to Crooke Marina in the early hours of Christmas Day. Police, paramedics and fire crews attended the scene in Standish at around 3.30am to reports of the blaze.
It was later confirmed that the body of a man and his dog who both perished in the blaze were found at the scene. They have now been identified as Gabriel Murphy, 43, and his service dog Hugo.
‘Gentle’ dad-of-three Gabriel, who was also known as Philip, was an Army veteran and had worked as a paramedic for the North West Ambulance Service. He lived on the boat with five-year-old service dog Hugo, who had supported Philip with his PTSD after his time in the army, his daughter Juliette said.
An investigation was launched following the blaze, with a police scene put in place around the marina. Emergency crews remained in attendance throughout Christmas day.
In a tragic post on Boxing Day, Juliette penned: “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 and I wanted to make anyone that I may not be able to reach aware.
“Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with kindness and support, it truly means more than I can say.”
Philip’s eldest daughter Juliette has since set up an online fundraiser to help raise donations towards her dad’s funeral. Paying tribute she described him as a ‘gentle’ man who ‘carried more pain than he ever showed’.
She said the devastating blaze on Christmas Day also scorched the boat and left no belongings or memories behind, describing the loss as ‘devastating’. Heartbreaking videos posted online also showed Gabriel enjoying the evening in the pub with friends on Christmas Eve – just hours before his death.
“On Christmas Day 2025 my dad, Gabriel also known as Philip Murphy died in the early hours of the morning. He died alongside his service dog Hugo who helped him with his PTSD after his time in the army,” she penned.
“After leaving the forces my dad continued serving others as a paramedic in NWAS. helping people is who he was even though life was hard for him he was gentle and carried more pain than he ever showed.
“The fire took everything there are no belongings left from the boat and no memories we can hold onto physically. Because my dad was still so young there was no life insurance or funeral plan in place.
“Hugo also died in the fire and in a further heartbreaking mistake he was cremated and ashes discarded by the charity who was informed by police to keep him safe, meaning my dad and Hugo can never be laid to rest together as I had hoped.
“Losing my dad was devastating and losing the chance to honour the bond between him and Hugo was been a second tragedy our family is struggling to come to terms with.
“This fundraiser is giving me the opportunity to give my dad a beautiful and respectful farewell surrounded by the people who loved him and is helping me to begin rebuilding my life after such a sudden and traumatic loss. Any donations will go towards funeral costs and practical support as I try to find some stability while carrying this grief.
“Thank you for taking the time to read our story. I know how tough times are financially right now so for any kindness you are able to show I am forever grateful.”
Donations can be made to the online fundraiser here. Other heartfelt tributes posted online described Gabriel as a ‘gentle giant’ and a ‘good man who will be hugely missed’.
Following the incident, police confirmed the body of a man and his service dog were found on the boat. And, a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Just after 3.30am on Friday 25th December, three fire engines from Wigan and Hindley, along with the Technical Response Unit from Leigh and Water Incident Unit from Eccles, attended an incident on Crooke Road, Wigan. Firefighters were in attendance for around thirteen hours.”
