Emergency services rushed to the canal boat near Crooke Marina in Wigan, Greater Manchester at around 3.30am on Christmas Day where Gabriel Murphy, 43, and his service dog Hugo were tragically found dead
A heartbroken daughter has paid a touching tribute to her father and his service dog, who tragically perished in a canal boat fire in Greater Manchester on Christmas Day.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the blaze in Wigan, located on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal near Crooke Marina, in the early hours of Christmas morning. Police, paramedics and fire crews responded to the incident in Standish at approximately 3.30am following reports of a fire.
It was later confirmed that a man and his dog, both victims of the tragic fire, were discovered at the scene. The pair have since been identified as 43 year old Gabriel Murphy and his service dog Hugo.
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Gabriel, a gentle father of three also known as Philip, was an Army veteran and had served as a paramedic for the North West Ambulance Service. He shared his life on the boat with his five year old service dog Hugo, who provided support for Philip’s PTSD following his military service, according to his daughter Juliette.
Following the devastating fire, an investigation was initiated and a police cordon was established around the marina. Emergency teams remained on site throughout Christmas Day, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a poignant post 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 and I wanted to make anyone that I may not be able to reach aware.”
She added: “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 launched an online fundraiser to gather donations for her father’s funeral. In a heartfelt tribute, she painted a picture of a ‘gentle’ man who ‘carried more pain than he ever showed’.
She revealed the catastrophic Christmas Day fire also destroyed the boat, leaving no possessions or keepsakes behind, calling the loss ‘devastating’. Poignant footage shared online captured Gabriel spending Christmas Eve at the pub with mates – mere hours before his tragic 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 wrote.
“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.”
Those wishing to contribute can do so via the online fundraiser here. Moving tributes shared on social media have remembered Gabriel as a ‘gentle giant’ and a ‘good man who will be hugely missed’.
