Detectives investigating the deaths of four ‘trafficked’ Vietnamese men killed in an horrific mill fire have arrested a suspected gangster on suspicion of manslaughter.
Uoc Van Nguyen, 31, Cuong Van Chu, 39, Duong Van Nguyen, 29, and 21-year-old Nam Thanh Lee died in the inferno that engulfed Bismark House mill in Oldham on May 7, 2022.
But their fate wasn’t known until months later, when workers demolishing the ruined complex on July 23 found their torched remains, prompting a major probe.
Investigators believe the men are likely to have been victims of modern-day slavery. Officers also found evidence part of the mill was being used as a cannabis farm.
Now, a year from the blaze, police have today announced a 34-year-old has been arrested in connection with their deaths. He is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of manslaughter, cultivation of cannabis and participation in the activities of an organised crime group.
Left: Cuong Van Chu, 39, arrived in the UK in June 2019. He maintained regular contact with his wife and children but they have not heard from him since May 7, 2022. Right: The wife of Uoc Van Nguyen (pictured), 31, has also not heard from her husband since May 7, 2022
Left: Duong Van Nguyen, 29, told his family that he was residing in ‘an abandoned house’ while looking for work. Right: Nam Thanh Le, 21, last contacted his family on May 4, 2022
It took four days for firefighters to put out the blaze ripping Bismark House Mill in Oldham, Greater Manchester
The first set of remains were discovered by demolition workers in July 2022, more than two months after the fire
Officers made the arrest as they also carried out multiple raids at five homes and two commercial properties in Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne.
Two men who were previously arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and other offences in connection with the case were released on bail last year.
They remain on bail, police said today. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies added: ‘Though a year has passed since the fire and nine months since the discovery of these men’s remains, the criminal investigation is still very much open.
‘Behind the scenes, a team of detectives have been speaking to witnesses and reviewing evidence – leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to find answers for the bereaved.
‘We are really thankful to those who have assisted us with our enquiries so far but know that it is highly likely there are others out there who have information about how these men ended up in Bismark House Mill, about activity at the mill in the weeks before the fire and about the fire itself.
‘As we continue to do all we can, I appeal to anyone with information to contact us directly or anonymously.’
The discovery of the four men in Oldham last year sparked a major incident, with police drafting in specialist officers to search the rubble.
It took four days for firefighters to put out the blaze in Bower Street, a built-up area with many commercial units. However they believed at the time that no one was inside the building.
A red glow can be seen coming from the building in Oldham as it burnt on May 7. Fire crews believed at the time that no one was inside the building
Specialist officers declared a major incident and began the search of the fire remains after the first set of remains were discovered by demolition workers
Police have been in direct contact with the family of the victims in Vietnam. Pictured is the scene where the bodies were discovered in July 2022
At the time, police said they suspected the four nationals named ‘may’ have been in the building at the time but are ‘keeping an open mind’.
Cuong Van Chu, 39, arrived in the UK in June 2019. He maintained regular contact with his wife and children but they had not heard from him since May 7.
The wife of Uoc Van Nguyen, 31, has also not heard from her husband since May 7. The couple maintained regular contact, and he said he was in a mill on that day.
Duong Van Nguyen, 29, arrived in the UK approximately in July 2021 and last contacted his family approximately sometime in April 2022.
He told them that he was residing in ‘an abandoned house’ while looking for work.
Nam Thanh Le, 21, last contacted his family on May 4, 2022, and told them he was residing in ‘a derelict house’ in ‘Dam’, believed to be Oldham, while looking for work. He arrived in the UK in January 2022.
Teams have been searching the remnants of the mill since demolition workers discovered human remains on July 23.
It took four days for firefighters to put out the blaze in Bismark House Mill in Bower Street, a built-up area with many commercial units
A tent was set up over some of the remains that were discovered at the former mill in Oldham
Officers have now made a third arrest in connection with the tragedy. Pictured, police and fire crews at the scene
The discovery of the four men sent shockwaves through the Oldham community.
Speaking in July last year, Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, GMP’s Victim Identification lead, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Cuong, Uoc, Duong and Nam’s loved ones.
‘Specially-trained officers have been in direct contact with them and continue to make every effort to ensure they are fully updated and supported in Vietnam, as they would be in the United Kingdom.
Oldham councillor Aftab Hussain described the situation as ‘very worrying’ and said he was concerned about the possibility of human trafficking.
‘If anything illegal is found to have happened, anyone involved should be brought before the courts and punished,’ he added.
