Body is found days after fire ripped through restaurant

A body was found in a building days after a fierce fire ripped through a popular restaurant, police chiefs revealed today.

Detectives from Greater Manchester Police confirmed 'human remains' were found during a search of the building on Bolton Road in Farnworth, Bolton, yesterday - Saturday.

The Lime Tree Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant and takeaway is based there and police said on Sunday it's believed the blaze broke out on the first floor. Detectives said 'early indications' suggested the floor was being used as a cannabis farm.

A criminal investigation is now under way, with police confirming the fire is being treated as suspicious. In a statement, police said work was ongoing to 'identify the deceased' and contact any potential family members. Details are scarce and the sex or age of the person who has died has not been revealed.

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In the statement on Sunday, GMP said: "On Saturday 2 December 2023, human remains were found during a search of the premises on Bolton Road in Farnworth Bolton.

"Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service had been called to reports of the fire at approximately 1pm on Monday 27 November 2023. Since then, efforts had been ongoing to make the building safe and ascertain the cause.

"Enquiries remain ongoing however it is believed that the fire originated on the first floor of the building, which early indications suggest may have been used as a cannabis