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Police launch murder inquiry after two men die in Manchester fire Police launch murder inquiry after two men die in Manchester fire
(35 minutes later)
Police have launched a murder inquiry after two homeless men died in a city centre blaze. The bodies of James Evans, 57, and Wayne Bardsley, 51, were discovered in a disused building in Manchester’s Chinatown district following the incident in the early hours of 25 November. Police have launched a murder inquiry after two homeless men died in a blaze in the centre of Manchester. The bodies of James Evans, 57, and Wayne Bardsley, 51, were discovered in a disused building in the city’s Chinatown district following the incident in the early hours of 25 November.
A joint investigation with the fire service was set up to establish the cause of the fire, which is now being treated as suspicious. The police and fire service have set up a joint investigation to establish the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.
Detectives have released CCTV images of a man that they wish to speak to in connection with the incident. They are also appealing to members of the homeless community who they believe may have been in or near the building before the fire started to come forward.Detectives have released CCTV images of a man that they wish to speak to in connection with the incident. They are also appealing to members of the homeless community who they believe may have been in or near the building before the fire started to come forward.
Emergency services were called to the scene in Nicholas Street shortly after 2.15am to reports of a fire. The partially collapsed building was severely damaged and the two bodies were later discovered on the first floor of the property by Greater Manchester fire and rescue service. Emergency services were called to the scene in Nicholas Street shortly after 2.15am. The partially collapsed building was severely damaged and two bodies were later discovered on the first floor of the property by Greater Manchester fire and rescue service.
On Monday, DCI Amber Waywell of Greater Manchester police said: “We now believe that this incident could be suspicious and have launched a murder investigation to establish how these men tragically lost their lives.On Monday, DCI Amber Waywell of Greater Manchester police said: “We now believe that this incident could be suspicious and have launched a murder investigation to establish how these men tragically lost their lives.
“We are appealing to the public to come forward with information that can help our inquiries. Anything you know, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could prove to be vital. I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the images to contact the police immediately.“We are appealing to the public to come forward with information that can help our inquiries. Anything you know, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could prove to be vital. I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the images to contact the police immediately.
“We also believe that members of the homeless community may have been in or near the building before the fire started, and they could hold information that will be critical to our investigation. “We also believe that members of the homeless community may have been in or near the building before the fire started, and they could hold information that will be critical to our investigation. I would like to appeal directly to them to come forward and speak to us, along with anyone else who may have information which could assist us in our inquiries.”
“I would like to appeal directly to them to come forward and speak to us, along with anyone else who may have information which could assist us in our inquiries.”