This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6606619.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Major fire disrupts city centre Major fire disrupts city centre
(about 1 hour later)
More than 100 firefighters are at the scene of a blaze which engulfed a five-storey commercial building in Manchester city centre. More than 120 firefighters have been tackling two huge fires in Manchester city centre - one of which completely destroyed a five-storey building.
Although the initial fire on Dale Street has been brought under control, embers have blown to a block opposite and started a second blaze. The blaze in a commercial building on Dale Street has been brought under control, although crews are continuing to tackle a fire in the block opposite.
The first building was gutted by the fire and is in danger of collapse. An inquiry is yet to begin, but it was initially believed that embers from the first fire sparked the second.
Traffic is being disrupted on nearby roads and motorists are advised to avoid the surrounding area. There were also unconfirmed reports a person may have been trapped inside.
There are unconfirmed reports that a person may been trapped inside the first building. Traffic is being disrupted on nearby roads and motorists are advised to avoid the area, which is likely to remain cordoned off for about 24 hours.
More than a dozen engines, two specialist high-reach appliances, police and paramedics are all at the scene in the Northern Quarter. At its height, more than 25 fire appliances, police and paramedics were are all at the scene in the Northern Quarter.
The alarm was raised at 0555 BST and the incident quickly escalated.The alarm was raised at 0555 BST and the incident quickly escalated.
A number of streets including Dale Street, Lever Street Hilton Street, Newton Street and part of Oldham Road are closed and traffic in the area is said to be chaotic. A number of streets including Dale Street, Lever Street Hilton Street, Newton Street and part of Oldham Road were closed, leading to chaotic traffic in the surrounding area.
A cordon has been put up around the area to protect the public and firefighters are battling to stop the blaze spreading even further. Leading firefighter Billy Harrop, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said flames in the second building had affected the upper floors and the roof, which had partially collapsed.
Greater Manchester Fire Service spokesman Ged Higgins said crews had been unable to confirm reports of people inside. But although there were fears the building was in danger - at one point firefighters inside were ordered out - he said engineers had declared it structurally safe.
"There are reports that people have been sleeping rough in the building in which the fire started - but we have not been able to confirm that at this stage," he said. And despite speculation about the cause of the second blaze, Mr Harrop said it was too early to give a definitive cause.
'Burning embers' 'Exteremely difficult'
"At the moment we are still firefighting but once we have done that we'll start our firefighting investigations along with the police."
Mr Harrop said the entire block of buildings had been evacuated as a result of the blaze.
There are reports that people have been sleeping rough in the building in which the fire started Ged Higgins, Fire Service
"This is an extremely difficult fire. We were struggling for access... this is a very, very difficult incident to tackle."
The fire service is expecting to scale down its operations during the afternoon, but firefighters could remain at the site for a number of days.
Earlier, Greater Manchester Fire Service said they had been unable to confirm reports of people inside the first building, which is in danger of collapse.
"There are reports that people have been sleeping rough in the building in which the fire started - but we have not been able to confirm that at this stage," said spokesman Ged Higgins.
Mr Higgins said the first blaze had been brought under control by firefighters and efforts were now being concentrated on the building opposite - a mix of commercial premises and apartments.Mr Higgins said the first blaze had been brought under control by firefighters and efforts were now being concentrated on the building opposite - a mix of commercial premises and apartments.
"As I look at the building now all I can see are the shell of the buildings - all the internal floors and the roof have gone. "As I look at the building now all I can see are the shell of the buildings - all the internal floors and the roof have gone."
"The shell of the building is surrounded completely by scaffolding and firefighters are concentrating their efforts on trying to protect an adjacent building.
"However, because this first building was so large it appears that burning embers may have caused fire spread to a building on the other side of Dale Street and we are now dealing with two incidents." There are reports that people have been sleeping rough in the building in which the fire started Ged Higgins, Fire Service
The area is packed with narrow streets and Victorian warehouse buildings which have been converted into retail, commercial and apartment units.The area is packed with narrow streets and Victorian warehouse buildings which have been converted into retail, commercial and apartment units.
'In a panic'
Resident David Lembergh, 38, who has an office and apartment in the second building said he had a lucky escape because he was staying with his mother.Resident David Lembergh, 38, who has an office and apartment in the second building said he had a lucky escape because he was staying with his mother.
He told the BBC: "I got a call first thing from a fellow resident saying, 'Are you out of the building? Are you out of the building because the roof is on fire.'He told the BBC: "I got a call first thing from a fellow resident saying, 'Are you out of the building? Are you out of the building because the roof is on fire.'
"Obviously I got in a panic because I know various other people who live there and I was ringing them and luckily everyone escaped."Obviously I got in a panic because I know various other people who live there and I was ringing them and luckily everyone escaped.
"The main thing is nobody is injured, hurt or has been killed but I am slightly concerned all my personal items are secure.""The main thing is nobody is injured, hurt or has been killed but I am slightly concerned all my personal items are secure."
Have you been in the area this morning? Can you tell us anything about the fire? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Have you been in the area this morning? Can you tell us anything about the fire? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name:
 Name: