A FIRE brigade investigation into the death of a Ramsbottom firefighter has angered his family and union chiefs.

The probe by Britain's most senior fire officer has cleared Greater Manchester County Fire Officer Barry Dixon of neglect, in relation to the death of a part-time fireman, Sub Officer Paul Metcalf.

Mr Metcalf, from Shuttleworth, drowned while trying in vain to rescue 15-year-old Reyaz Ali from Simon's Lodge at Hawkshaw in September 1999.

His family and Fire Brigade Union (FBU) officials have since argued that specialist rescue equipment and rules governing water rescues were not in place.

A six month inquiry by the Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Ken Knight, concluded that Mr Dixon, from Whitefield, was "not neglectful in his provision of a safe system of water rescues for firefighters".

His finding has upset Mr Metcalf's twin brother, Michel, and angered the FBU.

Mr Metcalf said: "The inquest into Paul's death established that it was due to a catalogue of failure.

"If it is the case I want to know who in the Fire Service is prepared to take responsibility?"

And a spokesman for the Fire Brigade Union added: "We will continue to press for someone to be called to account for this tragedy."

Despite the investigation's outcome, the Fire Service, rather than any individual, could still face prosecution for alleged breaches of duty by the Health and Safety Executive. The four-week hearing is scheduled to start on September 27.

Greater Manchester Fire Authority (GMFA) has welcomed the conclusion of Mr Knight's inquiry and say the matter is now closed.

A spokesman from GMFA said: "A detailed investigation by the country's most senior fire office has concluded that the County Fire Officer, Barry Dixon, has 'no case to answer' following the death of Sub Officer Paul Metcalf. The matter is now concluded."