Emergency services were forced to remove an upstairs window of a house to lift out a body in Moss Side on Monday evening. Officers and crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to Crondall Street where the tragic discovery was made.
Horrified neighbours watched on as the body, understood to be that of a male, was winched through the window, at around 4pm (May 9). Those living in adjoining homes spoke of their shock after witnessing the body bag be descended slowly to the ground.
It is understood that removing the window was the only way the body could be retrieved, with pictures showing the extent of items hoarded inside the property.
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GMFRS confirmed they were called to the address in support of an ongoing police incident, spending around three hours at the scene before leaving shortly after 7pm. Pictures from the scene showed fire crews, forensic officers and all outside the property.
Residents told the M.E.N how fire crews could be seen lifting a body bag from a window of a property by using a crane. Others in adjoining houses told of how they had noticed a 'bad smell' coming from upstairs in recent days and spoke of their shock at the afternoon discovery.
One neighbour said: "It was a man who lives there, he always kept himself to himself. I don't know his name or anything about him, but he was very quiet. Me and my partner had noticed a bad smell coming from our upstairs room in the past week.
"We haven't seen him for at least a week or heard anything at all. It was still a shock when we saw what was happening, as you don't expect it to happen where you live."
Another eyewitness said: “We just looked out of the window and saw all the police and fire crews. I leaned out and saw them using a crane from a fire engine to gain access to the property and lift out the body bag. I don't know the person who lives there, but couldn't believe it when we saw what was happening."
Other neighbours told of how the man was often seen picking up items left in the back alleys and on the street before taking them into his house. Pictures from the scene show chairs, wooden panels and plastic boxes among the items that had to be removed.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “GMFRS have spent approximately three hours this evening supporting colleagues from Greater Manchester Police at an address on Crondall Street, Manchester. There is no risk to people or properties in the local area and the incident is now coming to a close.”
Further details about the nature of the incident and the identity of the male have not yet been confirmed. Greater Manchester Police have been approached for more information.
