The owner of a bar left devastated by a fire on New Year's Eve has spoken of his 'excruciating pain' following the blaze.
Dean Mac owns One Eight Six bar on Deansgate, in Manchester city centre, where a fire broke out just after midnight during new year celebrations.
Around 170 people had to be evacuated after 'Christmas decorations and balloons caught fire'.
CCTV footage showed revellers waving what appeared to be Champagne 'flares' before the blaze broke out.
Screams and loud popping noises could be heard as burning bunches of balloons fell to the ground and revellers ran for safety.
Two men were taken to hospital for treatment after inhaling smoke, with a third was treated at the scene by paramedics.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Mr Mac said the main room in the basement bar, and everything in it, has been left 'completely destroyed'.
He also thanked the 'brave' staff and emergency services, who 'saved peoples lives' on the night.
He said that the bar could offer free mental health support for anyone who was affected by the fire.
The fire service said that CCTV footage from the scene is being examined and investigators are working to obtain accounts from revellers as part of the ongoing investigation.
Council bosses, meanwhile, said they hope to meet with police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service this week.
Officers from the council's licensing team are in contact with the joint police and fire service investigation team.
Here is owner Dean Mac's statement in full:
"We cannot put into words how deeply excruciatingly painful this is"
"It has taken 5 long, emotional days to write this....
"The ONE EIGHT SIX concept and venue on Deansgate took us 2 years to create and build.
"Just three months after launch night, we were told we had to close our doors for 12 months due to a global pandemic.
"Once we were allowed to re-open, we could have only dreamt of what ONE EIGHT SIX was going to become and how loyal our customers were going to love the brand as much as we did.
"We have built the most dedicated and professional family of staff and we were all so incredibly excited to be celebrating New Year's Eve with you, especially after such a successful Christmas period.
"We cannot put into words how deeply excruciatingly painful this is to be writing, but the fire that broke out just after midnight on NYE has completely destroyed the main room and the majority of the contents within.
"We will be forever grateful to all our brave staff and the emergency services that saved peoples lives night, and no matter what material items are gone, everyone is safe.
"If any of our customers that night still have belongings inside the venue, please send ONE EIGHT SIX Instagram account a description of what they are, along with pictures of the item and our team will be in touch shortly to try and retrieve them and get them back to you.
"We also ask anyone present that evening who is in need of free professional mental or emotional support, please get in touch.
"If any of you have any doubts, we WILL come back from this and we WILL be re-opening again as soon as we possibly can.
"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support."
In a statement issued yesterday, a spokesperson for the GMFRS told the M.E.N : "The GMFRS investigations into the cause of the fire and the surrounding circumstances are ongoing.
"The forensic investigation of the scene has concluded and specialist investigators will be reviewing CCTV and other footage in addition to obtaining accounts from those who were present. This is likely to take some time."
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: "The council is aware of the incident at this premises, however any consideration of formal action to be taken by the council will not pre-empt investigations still being carried out by the police and fire service.
"The council takes venue safety incredibly seriously and as it has made clear in the past will not tolerate behaviour or practices which put public safety at risk.
"Officers from the council's licensing team are in regular contact with members of the emergency services and will take any necessary action in due course."
Anyone with footage of the incident can contact the GMFRS Fire Investigation Team at FireInvestigationTeam@manchesterfire.gov.uk.
