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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 in Nicholas Street and lit up the Chinatown arch at its peak. | |
No further details are yet known about the two people found, including their ages or gender. Police say they are investigating whether they were rough sleepers. | |
Some roads remain shut causing congestion in the city centre. | Some roads remain shut causing congestion in the city centre. |
The fire was brought under control but the building is "severely damaged" and was an "unsafe structure", fire chiefs 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 stories | Latest updates on this and other stories |
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. |
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". | 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". |
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. | 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." | "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. | The building had been unoccupied for some time, he added. |
The area where the fire broke out may have been used by rough sleepers although there is no confirmation the people found dead were homeless. | |
Manchester City Council has issued advice for rough sleepers following the blaze. | |
Councillor Paul Andrews said: "This is tragic and shocking news and our hearts go out to those affected by it. | |
"Our message to anyone who is sleeping rough is please come and access the help and support available. We will find you somewhere safe to stay." | |
A dedicated rough sleepers team patrolled the city centre every day offering people help, he added. | |
A fire investigation team and Greater Manchester Police remain at the scene. | 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 causing congestion in the city centre. | The incident is causing congestion in the city centre. |
Portland Street was shut 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 Adamson | 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. | "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." |