Human remains discovered after Oldham mill fire as Greater Manchester Police declare major incident

Human remains have been discovered by demolition workers following a fire at a mill in Oldham.
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Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident after remains were found on Saturday at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, which was devastated by fire on May 7.

The force added it received a report last Thursday that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and might have been involved in the blaze.

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At the time of the fire, which was extinguished over four days, no-one was believed to have been inside the burning building, police said.

Police declared a major incident after human remains were discovered on Saturday (July 23) at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, after a fire on May 7Police declared a major incident after human remains were discovered on Saturday (July 23) at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, after a fire on May 7
Police declared a major incident after human remains were discovered on Saturday (July 23) at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, after a fire on May 7

What do police say?

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “Victims and the bereaved are at the forefront of our investigations into deaths.

“As such, whilst work is ongoing to confirm the identity of the deceased, we are liaising with partner agencies to ensure potential family members in Vietnam are fully informed and supported.

"This news will understandably impact both the local and wider community.

Human remains have been discovered by demolition workers following a fire at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham on May 7. Police said they received a report last Thursday that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and may have been involved in the fireHuman remains have been discovered by demolition workers following a fire at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham on May 7. Police said they received a report last Thursday that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and may have been involved in the fire
Human remains have been discovered by demolition workers following a fire at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham on May 7. Police said they received a report last Thursday that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and may have been involved in the fire
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"I can reassure members of the public that this has been declared a major incident to ensure both GMP and partner agencies respond to this incident in the most effective way and that specialist officers are following every line of enquiry to confirm the identity of the deceased, if anyone else was inside the mill during the fire, and the full circumstances surrounding that fire.

“Any criminal offences identified as part of their investigation will be immediately and appropriately progressed.

“On behalf of the investigation team, I appeal to anyone with information to contact them directly or, anonymously, via Crimestoppers.

“They’re particularly interested in hearing from anyone who knows how the building was being used in the lead up to May 7 or who has information about the fire itself.”

The force declared a major incident after human remains were discovered on Saturday at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, where there had been a fire on May 7. Pic credit: Kim Pilling/PAThe force declared a major incident after human remains were discovered on Saturday at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, where there had been a fire on May 7. Pic credit: Kim Pilling/PA
The force declared a major incident after human remains were discovered on Saturday at Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham, where there had been a fire on May 7. Pic credit: Kim Pilling/PA
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The police spokesman said the incident had been referred to the force’s Professional Standards Branch for review due to previous contact relating to the fire and missing persons.

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What does the fire service say?

Speaking to media at the site, assistant chief fire officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Leon Parkes said: “When the fire service arrived at the scene they were met with a very serious fire, a well-developed fire, in the building.

“A decision was made at that time not to permit any firefighters into the building for two reasons – firstly, the fire was well-developed and was continuing to grow and, secondly, there was some concern about the structural stability of the building.

“We fought the fire over four days from the outside before handing the premises over.

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“These are the correct procedures that are followed in situations like this.

“Given the devastation that has happened here it is right that we are absolutely certain and that is why we are now reviewing the details of the incident and how we managed the incident.”

Mr Parkes said it appeared the site of the blaze was a multi-occupancy warehouse used by a number of companies.

The building was thought to be locked up and closed when the fire broke out in the early hours, he added.

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He added: “Our firefighters who attended this incident will be devastated by what has transpired.”

Anyone with information should contact police via the Major Incident Public Portal or call 0161 856 0055 quoting Operation Logan.

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