"A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is underway and two 15-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and are currently in police custody for questioning," Manchester Police said in a statement.
Detective Superintendent Phil Owen said: "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.
"We have already arrested two juveniles in connection with the fire and our enquiries are continuing," Owen said.
A spokesman said the 38-year-old got into difficulty at along with another firefighter and both were taken to hospital.
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Hunt, a father-of-two, was based at Manchester's Philips Park Fire Station.
He was confirmed dead in hospital.
The other injured firefighter is not thought to have life-threatening injuries, the BBC quoted a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman as saying.