The partial human remains of one of the four men feared dead following a fire at a mill in Oldham have been identified.
Authorities were able to identify through fingerprint analysis the remains as having belonged to Uoc Van Nguyen. Further DNA testing is still to come.
The 31-year-old was in regular contact with his wife until the fire, which broke out at Bismark House Mill on 7 May.
He was among the four Vietnamese nationals who were believed to have been in the building at the time and reported missing on 21 July.
Greater Manchester police paid tribute to Nguyen’s family and said the force was working to establish why the men were at the premises at the time of the fire.
Det SuptLewis Hughes said: “On behalf of all involved in Operation Logan, I send condolences to Uoc’s wife and his loved ones. Specially trained officers are in direct contact with them to ensure they are fully updated and supported.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish why Uoc and other, currently unidentified, individuals were in the mill during the fire.”
Police last week released the names of the men they believed had perished in the accident. Among them was 21-year-old Nam Thanh Le, who had arrived in the UK in January. Cuong Van Chu, 39, and Duong Van Nguyen, 29, were also named.
The blaze took four days to extinguish during which time authorities believed no one was inside. Firefighters did not enter the mill over concerns of its structural stability, as well as the fire being “well developed”.
The remains were exposed to the elements for 10 weeks before being discovered by demolition workers who were tearing down what remained of the mill on 25 July.
Family members of the missing men were asked to send hair and nail samples to help forensic experts carry out DNA testing.
The cause of the fire is unclear but police are following up whether there was an illegal cannabis factory in operation in the building.
Anyone with information should contact Greater Manchester police via 101.
