Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have declared a major incident after workers demolishing a mill in Oldham discovered human remains.
The find came 10 weeks after a fire at the Bismark House Mill property on Bower Street.
GMP said it received a report last week that four Vietnamese were missing and “may have been involved in a fire”.
On 7 May, firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at the mill which took four days to extinguish.
No one was believed to be inside at the time, GMP said. Detectives are now working to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of the fire.
GMP Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “Victims and bereaved people are at the forefront of our death inquiries. As such, while work is being done to confirm the identity of the deceased, we are in contact with partner agencies to ensure that potential family members in Vietnam are fully informed and supported.
“This news will have an understandable impact on both the local community and the wider community. I can assure the public that a major incident has been declared to ensure that both GMP and partner agencies respond to this incident in the most effective and that specialist officers follow all lines of inquiry to confirm the identity of the deceased, whether anyone else was inside the mill at the time of the fire, and all the circumstances surrounding that fire. Any criminal offenses identified as part of their investigation will be advanced immediately and appropriately.
He appealed for anyone with information to contact the force directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers, adding that police were particularly interested in hearing from anyone who knew how the building was being used before May 7 or that he had information about the fire. .
Due to previous contact relating to the fire and missing persons, this incident has been referred to GMP’s professional standards branch for review, the force said.
Anyone with information should submit it through the public major incident portal. Anyone without internet access should contact 0161 856 0055 quoting Operation Logan.
Information can also be shared anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.