Politicians in Greater Manchester have blamed government austerity measures for Manchester’s homeless crisis after a devastating blaze in Chinatown claimed the lives of two people believed to have been rough sleepers.

Those found dead inside the gutted Nicholas Street warehouse were members of the homeless community.

They were found after firefighters got the huge fire under control on Friday morning.

Shocked MPs have blamed swingeing cuts to town hall and voluntary support services for the homeless crisis, with the number of rough sleepers in the city - and the region - rocketing.

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell, whose constituency covers the city centre, said: “A fire in the middle of a built up area in the city centre is very worrying and in this case had tragic consequences.

“It highlights the risks homeless people and rough sleepers face, particularly over winter months.

“Successive Tory and Tory-Lib Dem governments have overseen a drastic increase in homelessness, as well as savage cuts to the wide range of council and voluntary services which support people who are homeless or at risk of becoming so.

“Like most people in Manchester, I am horrified at the plight of homeless people in our society.

“Tragedies like this highlight the real risks people face and the need to do more.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who researched homelessness extensively and worked for the Big Issue before becoming an MP, said: “We are seeing homelessness increase to levels we last saw in the 1990s under the last Conservative government.

“I’m very sorry to say that incidents like this are likely to increase because of failures under this government.”

Leigh MP and Labour’s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Andy Burnham said: “This tragedy is another reminder of the urgent need to bring an end to the homelessness on Manchester’s streets.

“We are wealthy enough as a society to put a roof over everyone’s head. We can work together to give people the confidence to rebuild their lives.

(Image: Steve Allen)

“But it will require real innovation and a willingness to build new partnerships between companies, charities, churches, community groups and councils.”

Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, who recently took to the streets with Salford mayor Paul Dennett to help rough sleepers, said: “It’s absolutely horrific. It really brings home how big this situation is.

“People, in this day and age, should not be living on the streets, sleeping in these kinds of conditions.

“The government has to do something. Even a small amount of money, to start setting up hostels and shelters for rough sleepers, would be a start.

“We can’t go on with this type of society. This isn’t civilisation.”

The MEN has pledged to support and publicise the Manchester Homelessness Charter at appropriate opportunities. If you are affected by issues surrounding homelessness in any way, or if you want to do something to help, you can go to: streetsupport.net