Manchester Chinatown fire: Police plea to homeless people Published duration 27 November 2016

image copyright Manchester Fire image caption At its peak, the fire lit up the Chinatown arch

Detectives investigating a large fire in Manchester's Chinatown are appealing directly to the homeless community who they believe could have "critical" information about the blaze.

The fire began at about 02:15 GMT on Friday in Nicholas Street and took several hours to bring under control, closing roads and causing congestion.

Two people found dead inside the building were male, police confirmed.

The men, thought to be rough sleepers, are yet to be identified.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Greater Manchetser Police (GMP) are carrying out a joint investigation into how the fire at the disused building started.

A candlelit vigil was held for those who died on Friday,

image caption People lit candles to remember the two victims who died in the fire

Det Insp Rebecca Boyce said: "We believe that members of the homeless community may have been in or near the building before the fire started, and they would obviously hold information that will be critical to our investigation.

"I would like to appeal directly to them to come forward and speak to us, along with anyone else who may have information which could assist us in our inquiries."

image caption Roads were blocked by a number of fire engines sent to the scene

image copyright Manchester Fire image caption The blaze caused severe damage to the building