Two bodies found after Manchester Chinatown fire Published duration 25 November 2016

image copyright Manchester Fire image caption Firefighters worked through the night to control the blaze in Manchester city centre

Two bodies have been found inside a disused building after a large fire broke out in Manchester's Chinatown.

The blaze began at about 02:15 GMT at a building in Nicholas Street and lit up the Chinatown arch at its peak.

No further details are yet known about the two people found, including their ages or gender. Police say they are investigating whether they were rough sleepers.

Some roads remain shut causing congestion in the city centre.

The fire was brought under control but the building is "severely damaged" and was an "unsafe structure", fire chiefs said.

Ch Insp Gareth Parkin, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "These are tragic circumstances and we are working to identify the people who were found in the building.

"Due to falling debris, firefighters were forced to keep back from the multi-storey commercial building."

media caption The blaze caused severe damage to a commercial building, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said

Damaged staircases inside the building had to be shored up before a search and rescue dog was sent in at about 10:10.

A drone camera has surveyed damage from above.

Borough Commander Paul Etches from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said there were still "pockets of fire" inside the building and it was "very unsafe".

He added: "Quite a large area of the building has suffered a partial collapse. The bodies were found in the first floor area. There is a lot of damage and debris that has fallen down through there as well.

"We're still carrying out systematic search to make sure no-one else is in the building."

The building had been unoccupied for some time, he added.

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

image copyright Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service image caption The flames could be seen across the city centre

image caption A search and rescue dog has entered the building

The area where the fire broke out may have been used by rough sleepers although there is no confirmation the people found dead were homeless.

Manchester City Council has issued advice for rough sleepers following the blaze.

Councillor Paul Andrews said: "This is tragic and shocking news and our hearts go out to those affected by it.

"Our message to anyone who is sleeping rough is please come and access the help and support available. We will find you somewhere safe to stay."

A dedicated rough sleepers team patrolled the city centre every day offering people help, he added.

image copyright Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service image caption Fire crews remain at the scene

image copyright Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service image caption Roads were blocked by a number of fire engines sent to the scene

A fire investigation team and Greater Manchester Police remain at the scene.

Roads were blocked by the fleet of fire engines sent to tackle the flames which illuminated Chinatown's decorative gateway at the peak of the blaze.

Bus services have also been affected.

Stagecoach and First Manchester are currently unable to serve Piccadilly Gardens, Transport for Greater Manchester said.

The incident is causing congestion in the city centre.

Portland Street was shut between Charlotte Street and Princess Street. It reopened at about 10:40 GMT.

image caption Firefighters had to tackle the blaze from a distance

image copyright Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

At the scene: BBC Radio Manchester reporter, Michelle Adamson

"The roof has completely gone on this building. You can see the sky through the top windows there because the roof is completely collapsed.

"I can see the the charred burnt struts of the roof there. Most of it has just gone completely.

"This was a very fierce fire. It is now under control. It is not being actively fought now. But fire crews are still damping down."

image caption The blaze began at a building in Nicholas Street in the early hours