'Terrifying' moment fire spread to student flats

Fire spread from Hotspur Press to the neighbouring Assembly building

A man visiting his daughter at her student flat spoke of the "terrifying" moment fire spread to her block from a fire in a derelict building across the road.

Hotspur House, a 225-year-old former printing press and mill, was destroyed when wind whipped up the flames, causing the blaze to spread rapidly throughout the building's wooden internal structure.

As firefighters battled to get the fire under control on Monday afternoon, wind carried burning embers onto neighbouring tower blocks.

Abdullah Alumair was in his daughter Shuaa's flat in Block B of 1 Cambridge Street when what appeared to be a sudden fog descended outside, shortly after 16:00 BST.

Abdullah Alumair was visiting his daughter when what looked like a "fog" descended outside

"I opened the window, immediately I start smelling the smoke and I found it's definitely a fire nearby," he told the BBC.

He said he and his wife and daughter left the building and stood on the street outside where they saw the Hotspur Press, which has been empty since 1996, well-alight.

He said: "After about half an hour things become very serious, the flame broke like hell.

"The police start clearing the area, fencing the area, and it was windy.

"It was a terrifying moment when we noticed the fire start catching our building because of the wind carrying the dust or whatever."

He said he saw a balcony on the building catch fire.

Mr Alumair and his family were among more than 100 people given temporary accommodation on Monday night.

The fire raged for several hours after breaking out at about 17:00 GMT

Ben Levy, area manager for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, said investigations into the cause of the blaze were at an early stage.

When asked if there had been any signs of foul play so far such as accelerants, he said it was too early to say.

But he added: "My experience is you would not need accelerant in a building like this which is so old, so dry... it's internal construction is wood.

"On a dry afternoon with a bit of wind it will burn well, sadly.

"It's another iconic and historic building... it's a sad day for Manchester where buildings like this are lost, potentially."

Mr Levy said there had been concerns about asbestos and toxic fumes being released, but he said tests had revealed nothing of significant concern and said there was "very minimal" risk to the public beyond the site of the blaze.

There had been no reports of any injuries, he added.

Nikolas Savva said he had helped provide accommodation for 17 people

Block A of the 1 Cambridge Street building is still being assessed and residents have not been permitted to return yet, Mr Levy confirmed.

On Tuesday evening the building's concierge team said the fire service would alow temporary access for people to collect their belongings.

Student rental business owner Nikolas Savva said he helped put up about 17 people in properties nearby.

He said "everything was very smooth" and praised staff at the Holiday Inn hotel on Oxford Road, where some residents from the evacuated building were sent.