30/04/2007

Major fire causes disruption in Manchester city centre

A major fire has destroyed a five-storey office building in Manchester, spreading to a second building.

The fire broke out on Dale Street around 5:55am on Monday morning. It is understood that the initial fire has been brought under control, but the building is now in danger of collapsing.

It is thought that the fire might have spread to the adjacent building across the roof space between the two buildings.

More than 100 firefighters are continuing to fight the fire in the second building.

Greater Manchester Fire Service said that there have been reports that people may have been sleeping rough in the building, but these reports have not been unconfirmed.

Traffic in the area is disrupted and a number of streets including Dale Street, Lever Street, Hilton Street, Newton Street and part of Oldham Road were closed.

The fire service said that firefighters could remain at the scene for several days.

(KMcA/JM)


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