A fire chief has explained why crews did not search a blaze-damaged mill where human remains were found two months later. An independent review will now be carried out into how the fire service managed the original incident in Oldham.
It is suspected that part of the now demolished building was being used as suspected cannabis farm, the Manchester Evening News understands.
Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a huge blaze on May 7th at Bismark House Mill on Bower Street. But they have now admitted that no search of the premises was carried out.
This week Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident after the human remains were discovered, more than two months after the blaze ripped through the mill. It has been confirmed that remains relating to one person have so far been found at the mill. Police said they suspect the discovery of the body is connected to four missing Vietnamese nationals.
The force received a report about the missing people on Thursday, July 21 'via Vietnam'. Detectives are trying to contact their families. The discovery of the remains was made by demolition workers on Saturday.
The M.E.N understands that Greater Manchester Police are looking into the suspected cannabis farm as one line with specialist emergency services workers searching for the possibility of further bodies.
Asked why firefighters did not carry out a search, Leon Parkes, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: "Given the severity of the fire, and there being no information to indicate there were people inside, we did not undertake a search. Following the correct safety procedures, we could not risk sending firefighters into such an unsafe and unstable building."
Commenting on the original fire he added: "The cause of the fire is currently listed as unknown because at the time of the fire – and the weeks afterwards - we could not access the building due to the instability of the building and it being condemned. However, given what has since been discovered, we’re now working with Greater Manchester Police at the scene to safely investigate the cause - with specialist teams called in."
Greater Manchester Police has referred itself to the force's internal Professional Standards Branch in relation to the fire and the consequent discovery of human remains there due to "previous contact relating to the fire and missing persons".
Now GMFRS has confirmed that its actions in dealing with the fire in May will be scrutinised. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Parkes said: "We’re confident that officers followed the correct processes in this situation but, given the devastation that has happened here, it’s right that we are absolutely certain and that’s why we’re now gathering information on how we managed this incident and will send this to be independently reviewed in the interests of transparency and best practice. If we do discover anything that requires further action, we will of course look into it."
Today at the scene of the tragedy firefighters using specialist equipment including a camera were searching a small section of the mill which remains standing at the junction of Bower Street and Barry Street. Most of the mill has now been flattened. It is understood the section being checked forensically includes a basement where the suspected cannabis farm is thought to have been set up.
