The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK is working with police to help identify human remains found at a demolished mill in Oldham, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.
Demolition workers discovered remains relating to one person at the Bismark House Mill on Bower Street On Saturday - more than two months after a huge fire gutted the building in May. At the time of the blaze, it was believed nobody was inside the mill.
On Wednesday (July 27) Greater Manchester Police confirmed that further human remains relating to a second victim had been found. Detectives suspect the discoveries are connected to four missing Vietnamese nationals after the force received a report 'via Vietnam' on July 21.
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The M.E.N understands police are looking at whether the mill was being used to farm cannabis as one line of enquiry. Multiple sources have told how the building was being used as a site to grow the class B drug.
On Tuesday (July 26), the Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam in the UK, named as Tô Minh Thu by the Viet Nam News Agency, was pictured at the investigation site speaking to crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
It's understood that the country's embassy has been working directly with GMP in line with standard procedure, and to help with the identification of the remains and any further discoveries. Formal identification is not believed to have taken place.
Detectives have warned that the number of bodies found may still increase from two, as investigators continue to probe the demolition site for further victims.
"Though we’ve now recovered human remains to suggest that at least two people were in the mill during the fire, we remain conscious of the report we received, on Thursday 21 July 2022, that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and may have been involved in a fire," Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes said.
"We are carrying out an extensive search of the remnants of the mill to ensure any further human remains are recovered in a way which is respectful to both the deceased and the bereaved. Meanwhile, our Major Incident Team are continuing to liaise with partner agencies to ensure potential family members in Vietnam are fully informed and supported."
Extensive enquiries are now being carried out by police to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire and added that any criminal offences identified would be progressed "immediately" and "appropriately."
Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were first called to the blaze on May 7, and spent several days extinguishing the fire. They have since admitted that no search of the premises was carried out.
A major incident was declared on July 25 after the human remains were tragically uncovered by workers who had been slowly demolishing the site since the inferno destroyed the building.
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."
Mr Parkes said the cause of the fire had been listed as 'unknown' as crews were unable to access the building due to its instability. He said: "Given what's been discovered, we're now working with GMP at the scene to safely investigate the case - 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 have also confirmed that an independent review of their response to the fire will be carried out.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Parkes added: "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."
A local resident at the scene on Tuesday said he saw cannabis being grown inside the building before the blaze. He said: "This was from the fire two months ago, I was on there collecting scrap metal and I found a cannabis grow, I saw it all.
"Police took me off the scene and took my van and I still don’t have it. I didn’t see anybody but there was all sorts of chemicals there. It was near that green bit behind the mill. When police come back to you they’ll tell you it was a cannabis farm found there."
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: "I know people will be shocked and saddened by the deeply distressing findings at Bismark House Mill. We are working closely with the police and fire service as they seek to establish the full circumstances around the fire.
"I would urge anyone with any information on this tragic incident to please call the police, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."
Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Anyone who is concerned about a missing loved one is advised to contact the Casualty Bureau. UK callers should call 0800 051 4675. International callers should call 020 459 4500.
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