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Fire breaks out in Manchester Chinatown Manchester Chinatown hit by fire
(35 minutes later)
A large fire broke out in Manchester's Chinatown in the early hours.A large fire broke out in Manchester's Chinatown in the early hours.
The blaze began at about 02:15 GMT at a building on Nicholas Street and lit up the Chinatown arch at its peak, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said.The blaze began at about 02:15 GMT at a building on Nicholas Street and lit up the Chinatown arch at its peak, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said.
Many roads were closed nearby but it is not yet known if anybody was injured. Many roads remain shut. It is not yet known if anybody was hurt in the fire.
The fire is now under control but the building has "severe damage" although "no further fire damage to other buildings is expected", a fire service spokesperson said. The blaze is now under control but the building has "severe damage", fire crews said. They added it was unlikely to cause further damage to other buildings.
Due to falling debris, firefighters were forced to keep back from the multi-storey commercial building.Due to falling debris, firefighters were forced to keep back from the multi-storey commercial building.
Latest updates on this and other storiesLatest updates on this and other stories
Crews are not yet able to get inside the building but a fire investigation team is at the scene, a fire service spokesperson added. Search dog and drone
Damaged staircases inside the building had to be shored up before a search and rescue dog was sent in at about 10:10.
A drone camera has surveyed damage from above.
A spokesperson said they were looking for hot spots, any fire which had not been fully put out.
It was not confirmed if anybody had been in the building when the blaze started, he said.
A fire investigation team is at the scene.
Roads were blocked by the fleet of fire engines sent to tackle the flames which illuminated Chinatown's decorative gateway at the peak of the blaze.Roads were blocked by the fleet of fire engines sent to tackle the flames which illuminated Chinatown's decorative gateway at the peak of the blaze.
Bus services have also been affected.Bus services have also been affected.
Stagecoach and First Manchester are currently unable to serve Piccadilly Gardens, Transport for Greater Manchester said.Stagecoach and First Manchester are currently unable to serve Piccadilly Gardens, Transport for Greater Manchester said.
The incident is also causing congestion in the city centre.The incident is also causing congestion in the city centre.
Portland Street is closed between Charlotte Street and Princess Street.Portland Street is closed between Charlotte Street and Princess Street.
At the scene: BBC Radio Manchester reporter, Michelle Adamson
"The roof has completely gone on this building. You can see the sky through the top windows there because the roof is completely collapsed.
"I can see the the charred burnt struts of the roof there. Most of it has just gone completely.
"This was a very fierce fire. It is now under control. It is not being actively fought now. But fire crews are still damping down.
"They've got a hydraulic platform with a long ladder on it which they are using to direct forceful jets of water through the window to try and dampen down the remains of this very, very intense fire.
"I would avoid this area because there is going to be congestion still."