Andy Burnham says "no stone will be left unturned" during the investigation into a tragedy at a mill in Oldham. A major incident has been declared after human remains were found at Bismark House Mill in the Derker area of the town.
The grim discovery was made by demolition workers at the site on Bower Street on Saturday, July 23. It was previously the scene of a huge fire in May which crews spent four days tackling. At that stage there was no indication anyone was inside.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have now confirmed that they received a report on Thursday, July 21, that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and may have been involved in a fire.
READ MORE: Major police presence with fire crews at scene after body found in Oldham - live updates
Detectives say they suspect the discovery is connected to the missing people and are currently trying to contact their families in Vietnam.
So far one body has been discovered with a multi-agency search for any potential further remains at the site now underway.
“The number of bodies found may change based on the progress of the work over the coming days," Det Spt Lewis Hughes from GMP said today (Monday).
Mayor of Greater Manchester Mr Burnham also oversees both the fire service and the police in his roles as Fire Commissioner and Police and Crime Commissioner for the region.
In a statement released this evening, he promised both organisations would be "working together and leaving no stone unturned in the hunt for the truth."
“The whole of Greater will be Manchester deeply saddened and shocked to hear this news and particularly the community in Oldham" he said.
“Above all else, my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased in what is a truly horrific situation.
"Our firefighters at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spent several days responding to the terrible fire which was at a commercial building, with no indication there was anyone in there.
“GMFRS and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will be working together and leaving no stone unturned in the hunt for the truth on what has happened here.
"Until we know more, I cannot make any further comment but we will do everything we can to support GMP in its investigation so anyone involved in any wrongdoing that led to this devastating incident happening, will be brought to justice.”
Leon Parkes, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at GMFRS confirmed that at the time, the decision was taken not to commit firefighters into the building due to the severity of the fire and also as the building, which was so badly damaged it was to be demolished, was structurally unsafe and deemed unsafe to enter.
He said he believed the "correct procedures" had been followed but that the service would now be reviewing its response to the incident to make "absolutely certain."
“The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are with the deceased and their family and friends," he said.
“Our firefighters responded to the fire over four days and there was no indication that people were inside. The building was deemed unstable and to be demolished which meant it was unsafe to enter.
"These are the correct processes to follow in a situation like this, but given the devastation that has happened here it’s right that we are absolutely certain and that’s why we’re now reviewing the details of how we managed this incident.
"It is not appropriate to comment further at this time. We’ll work closely with Greater Manchester Police to support them with their investigation so justice can be served.”
Earlier, GMP Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: "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" he added.
READ NEXT :
What we know so far after human remains found in burnt out Oldham mill
Major incident declared after human remains discovered by demolition workers in Oldham
Boy, 14, accused of raping woman in nightclub toilets likely knew bouncers, councillors conclude
Family's agony over stillborn daughter and being stuck on maternity ward with crying babies
