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Two bodies found after Manchester Chinatown fire Two bodies found after Manchester Chinatown fire
(35 minutes later)
Two bodies have been found inside a disused building after a large fire broke out in Manchester's Chinatown.Two bodies have been found inside a disused building after a large fire broke out in Manchester's Chinatown.
The blaze began at about 02:15 GMT at a building on Nicholas Street and lit up the Chinatown arch at its peak.The blaze began at about 02:15 GMT at a building on Nicholas Street and lit up the Chinatown arch at its peak.
Some roads remain shut. Some roads remain shut causing congestion in the city centre.
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. The fire was brought under control but the building is "severely damaged" and was an "unsafe structure", Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said.
Ch Insp Gareth Parkin, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "These are tragic circumstances and we working to identify the people who were found in the building.Ch Insp Gareth Parkin, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "These are tragic circumstances and we working to identify the people who were found in the building.
"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
No further details are yet known about the people found, including their ages and gender.
Damaged staircases inside the building had to be shored up before a search and rescue dog was sent in at about 10:10.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 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. Borough Commander Paul Etches from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said there were still "pockets of fire" inside the building and it was "very unsafe".
A fire investigation team is at the scene. He added: "Quite a large area of the building has suffered a partial collapse. The bodies were found in the first floor area. There is a lot of damage and debris that has fallen down through there as well.
"We're still carrying out systematic search to make sure no-one else is in the building."
The building had been unoccupied for some time, he added.
A fire investigation team and Greater Manchester Police remain 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 causing congestion in the city centre.
Portland Street was closed between Charlotte Street and Princess Street. It reopened at about 10:40 GMT. Portland Street was shut between Charlotte Street and Princess Street. It reopened at about 10:40 GMT.
At the scene: BBC Radio Manchester reporter, Michelle AdamsonAt 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."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."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.""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."