01/05/2007

Manchester fire search expected to take 'days'

It may take several days to discover if anyone died in a major fire in an office building in Manchester, the fire service has said.

The fire broke out on Dale Street around 5:55am in a five-storey office building on Monday morning. It later spread to a second block on the other side of the street.

There have been reports that homeless people were sleeping rough on the site, but these reports have not been confirmed.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that fire crews would be unable to get inside the building until it was deemed safe enough to do so.

A spokesperson said that until fire crews entered the building, it would be impossible to confirm whether anyone was inside.

Several roads near the scene of the fire remain closed, including Lever Street, Back Piccadilly, Dale Street and Little Lever Street.

Around 50 firefighters are still at the scene, along with structural engineers and gas experts.

(KMcA/SP)

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