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Major fire disrupts city centre Major fire disrupts city centre
(about 1 hour later)
More than 120 firefighters have been tackling two huge fires in Manchester city centre - one of which completely destroyed a five-storey building.More than 120 firefighters have been tackling two huge fires in Manchester city centre - one of which completely destroyed a five-storey building.
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 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.
An inquiry is yet to begin, but it was initially believed that embers from the first fire sparked the second.An inquiry is yet to begin, but it was initially believed that embers from the first fire sparked the second.
There were also unconfirmed reports a person may have been trapped inside.There were also unconfirmed reports a person may have been trapped inside.
The first fire crews on the scene were told some people may have been sleeping rough in the building, but Greater Manchester Police said they did not believe anyone was trapped inside.
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.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.
We managed to bring the fire under control but the building is completely destroyed Bill Harrop, Fire Service
At its height, more than 25 fire appliances, police and paramedics were 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 were closed, leading to chaotic traffic in the surrounding area. 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.
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. Bill Harrop, Borough Commander for Greater Manchester Fire Service, said: "We managed to bring the fire under control but the building is completely destroyed. There is a real risk that it may collapse.
"There were early reports of a number of people possibly missing but we cannot confirm yet that anyone was inside.
"It is too early to say how the fire started or how it spread. A joint investigation between the fire service and police is under way."
Mr Harrop said flames in the second building had affected the upper floors and the roof, which had partially collapsed.
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.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.
And despite speculation about the cause of the second blaze, Mr Harrop said it was too early to give a definitive cause.
'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.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 He added: "This is an extremely difficult fire. We were struggling for access... this is a very, very difficult incident to tackle."
"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.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. Earlier, Greater Manchester Fire Service spokesman Ged Higgins said only the shell of the first building remained - all the internal floors and the roof had been destroyed.
"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. Resident's 'panic'
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. Structural engineers and gas experts are at the scene of the fire, near the busy Piccadilly shopping area, but there is believed to be no risk to the public.
"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 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 told the BBC 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 said: "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."
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