STAFF at a Bolton bakery say they are devastated by the death of a much respected friend and colleague in a house fire.

John Mercer, an engineer at Warburton's Bolton Bakery, died alongside his wife, Sandra, on Bank Holiday Monday in a fire at their home in Norwood Avenue, Beech Hill, Wigan.

Their children Beth, aged 14, and 11 year old Phillip were staying with their grandmother at the time of the fire, and are now being comforted by relatives.

Mr Mercer, aged 50, had been working as an engineer at Warburtons, Bolton, since February, 2001.

A company boss paid tribute to Mr Mercer, saying that he had not only been highly skilled at his job, but had been very well liked and respected, fitting in with colleagues from the moment he started.

A Warburtons spokesperson said that staff were devastated and shocked by the news of Mr Mercer's death.

Speaking on behalf of the company, HR Manager David Warburton said: "John started working for us back in February 2001.

"He was a highly skilled and dedicated engineer who fitted in with his colleagues and the company immediately and was well-liked and respected.

"His tragic death has come as a complete shock to us all and he will be sadly missed.

"Our thoughts are with John and Sandra's two children."

Firefighters were called to Mr Mercer's semi-detached house in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.

Even though firefighters were quickly at the scene and immediately entered the house in a bid to rescue the couple, the bodies of Mr and Mrs Mercer were discovered in a downstairs room that had been badly damaged by the blaze.

They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbours said the fire was so intense that it seemed to engulf the entire house and flames were seen shooting out of windows.

It is believed that the house was not fitted with smoke alarms.

Post mortem examinations are being carried out on Mr and Mrs Mercer.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "A joint investigation has been launched by the police and fire service to establish the cause of the fire but at this stage it is not believed to be suspicious."