Kitchen blaze in Topkapi forces evacuations
FIREFIGHTERS have been tackling a blaze at a restaurant within the historic Onward Building on Deansgate.
Eyewitness reports claim the fire started in the kitchen extraction system of Topkapi Palace just after 2pm on Monday 6 March.
The building - originally built for a federation of temperance socieites in 1903-4 by celebrated Manchester architect Charles Heathcote - was evacuated as fire crews from Manchester Central, Gorton, Broughton and Moss Side attended.
At 2.50pm Greater Manchester Police reported that the fire had successfully been contained and that people were being allowed back into the building.
Deansgate remains open as usual, however, the fire service are encouraging people to avoid the area.
