A firefighter has died while tackling a fire in a disused hosiery factory in Leicester.

Bob Miller, 44, was killed as 70 firefighters dealt with the fire in the three-storey complex in the early hours of Thursday.

Mr Miller was one of the first firefighters into the building and it is believed he fell.

A police and fire service investigation has started into the cause of the fire and the circumstances of the death.

The tragedy occurred ahead of the second day of talks aimed at averting a national firefighters' strike.

Fire Brigades Union leaders said the meeting was "constructive", but there could still be a strike on 6 November if further pay talks break down.

'Absolutely devastated'

Mr Miller had been in the service for 25 years and leaves wife Jane and two children aged 14 and 17.

He is the first firefighter to be killed in service in Leicestershire for 25 years.

The last firefighter to be killed on duty in the UK was Paul Metcalfe from the Greater Manchester service in 1999.

David Webb: "We have lost a friend"

Chief fire officer David Webb, from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, told BBC News Online: "We are absolutely devastated.

"It sounds a bit like a clich�, but it is like losing a family member.

"These people have been friends for many, many years.

"People can imagine how bad it is - from our perspective.

'Cause not clear'

"It is the most tragic thing that can happen in the fire service - when we lose one of our own. Thankfully it is very rare.

"He was one of the first men to go into the building and it appears he had some kind of accident.

Firefighter deaths in the UK

1990: Six 1991: Four 1992: Three 1993: Four 1994: Two 1995: Five 1996: Three 1997: One

"At this time it is not clear why he fell and we do not know the exact cause of death."

The flag at Eastern Fire Station in Leicester, where Mr Miller was based, was at half mast on Thursday.

Fire Brigade Union secretary Andy Gilchrist said Thursday's talks between unions and employers would be overshadowed by the death.

"Naturally I'm saddened by the tragic death of the firefighter in Leicester and on behalf of the executive council send our sincere condolences to the friends and the family", he said.

The last firefighter to die on active duty was Paul Metcalfe from the Greater Manchester service in 1999.

Thursday's fire, which started in the first and second floors of the building, was eventually brought under control at 0500 GMT.