An inquest has been opened into the death of a firefighter who died suddenly last month.

Dean Hardy, 31, died at his home in Amesbury on August 18. The cause of his death is not yet known.

Dean was a firefighter at Amesbury Fire Station and a firefighter for the MoD. A statement after his death in August issued by chief fire officer Ben Ansell via Facebook said: “Dean joined Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in March 2023 and was a dedicated and highly valued member of our service.”

The Union flags outside Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service buildings were lowered to half-mast for four days in the wake of Dean’s death.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Coroners Court confirmed that an inquest has been opened, “which has been adjourned pending the outcome of the investigation into his death, including what the cause of death was.”