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/6610605.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fire victim search 'to take days' Fire victim search 'to take days'
(about 5 hours later)
Fire crews may have to wait days to discover whether a large fire at a building in Manchester city centre claimed any lives.Fire crews may have to wait days to discover whether a large fire at a building in Manchester city centre claimed any lives.
There have been reports that homeless people were sleeping rough in the five-storey block in Dale Street.There have been reports that homeless people were sleeping rough in the five-storey block in Dale Street.
The blaze spread to a second block on the other side of the street.The blaze spread to a second block on the other side of the street.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service said it would be unable to get crews inside until it was deemed safe to sift through the burnt out shell. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said it would be unable to get crews inside until it was deemed safe to sift through the burnt out shell.
Rhys Griffith, chief fire officer at the scene, said: "Until we can get in, we won't be able to confirm whether anyone was inside.Rhys Griffith, chief fire officer at the scene, said: "Until we can get in, we won't be able to confirm whether anyone was inside.
"It is likely to take days rather than hours before we find out.""It is likely to take days rather than hours before we find out."
There remains the possibility that there were casualties inside Supt David HullGreater Manchester PoliceThere remains the possibility that there were casualties inside Supt David HullGreater Manchester Police
More than 120 firefighters were called to tackle the fires in the city's Northern Quarter when the alarm was raised early on Monday morning.More than 120 firefighters were called to tackle the fires in the city's Northern Quarter when the alarm was raised early on Monday morning.
Several nearby roads remain closed, including Lever Street, Back Piccadilly, Dale Street and Little Lever Street.
An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire and how it spread to the second block on the opposite side of the road.An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire and how it spread to the second block on the opposite side of the road.
Supt David Hull, of Greater Manchester Police, said he could not rule out the possibility that there were casualties inside the first building.Supt David Hull, of Greater Manchester Police, said he could not rule out the possibility that there were casualties inside the first building.
He said: "We have received a number of reports that there may have been homeless people sleeping rough in the building.He said: "We have received a number of reports that there may have been homeless people sleeping rough in the building.
"We are currently following up those reports."We are currently following up those reports.
Road restrictions
"There remains the possibility that there are casualties inside, but we won't know until it is safe to go in."There remains the possibility that there are casualties inside, but we won't know until it is safe to go in.
"If anyone was inside, then this would probably be a body recovery situation rather than a rescue.""If anyone was inside, then this would probably be a body recovery situation rather than a rescue."
About 50 firefighters remain at the site with structural engineers and gas experts.About 50 firefighters remain at the site with structural engineers and gas experts.
Manchester City Council said the road closures would be reviewed on Tuesday morning. Newton Street is now open to both cars and pedestrians in both directions.
A council spokeswoman said: "People are advised to use the ring road to get around the city as traffic is severely disrupted." Back Piccadilly is also open from Newton Street to Spear Street and Lever Street is open to pedestrians only from Piccadilly to Hilton Street.
Dale Street remains closed from Lever Street to Newton Street and Little Lever Street is closed from Back Piccadilly to Hilton Street.