![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2_JS373319964.jpg\")
An inferno erupted at the building in the city centre last Monday (June 23)(Image: MEN MEDIA)<\/p>\nAn inferno erupted at the building in the city centre last Monday (June 23)An inferno erupted at the building in the city centre last Monday (June 23)(Image: MEN MEDIA)<\/p>\n
The Hotspur Press site which was ravaged by a devastating fire in the city centre last week has been deemed ‘too unsafe’ for investigators to probe the cause of the blaze, the Manchester Evening News understands.<\/p>\n
An inferno erupted at the building on Cambridge Street at 4.30pm on Monday (June 23), which spread to neighbouring blocks of flats and stopped railway services to and from Oxford Road<\/a> station.<\/p>\n More than 100 residents were evacuated due to the fire, with smoke masking nearby streets. The fire service later confirmed the mill will now need to be partially demolished.<\/a><\/p>\n Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n It’s understood that the site, which was completely ravaged from the inside with parts of the roof and wall beams crumbling to the ground, remains unsafe.<\/p>\n Because of that, the authorities are unable to investigate the cause of the fire before a partial demolition takes place. The fire service is understood to be carrying out inspections of the site several times a day.<\/p>\n Due to delays in starting the investigation and access issues to the site, no cause is known. It is understood the council continues to monitor the site from a building control viewpoint.<\/p>\n Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group <\/strong>HERE<\/a><\/p>\n A spokesperson for MCR Property Group said: “We continue to work with our development partner Manner, alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Police<\/a> and Manchester City Council\u2019s Planning and Building Control teams, to manage the Hotspur Press site following the fire.<\/p>\n “The immediate priority has been to make the structure safe, both for the general public and to allow investigation teams to carry out their work. This process is being undertaken carefully and in stages, with every effort made to retain as much of the building as possible, in line with structural guidance.”<\/p>\n Road closures and a large scene have remained in place since the blaze in order to keep the area safe.<\/p>\n Manner\u2019s plans included retaining the fa\u00e7ade and iconic \u2018Percy Brothers\u2019 signage at the mill, which closed as a printing press in 1996 and fell into dereliction in the intervening decades.<\/p>\n A student tower, clad in bronze, was set to rise to a height of 36 storeys. An earlier version of the project, with the tower clad in brick, was given planning permission in May 2024.<\/p>\n However, work could not start because an application to list the building was submitted to the government shortly after. It was rejected in January, but was re-submitted for a review.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.<\/p>\n That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable<\/strong>, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North.<\/strong> You can also <\/strong>sign up for that here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here,<\/strong><\/a> and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.<\/p>\n![\"Crews](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_240625hotspur14.jpg\")
Crews battled the blaze for days(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2_250625hotspurpress4.jpg\")
The building has been deemed too unsafe for investigations to commence(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n