Inquests have now been opened and adjourned into the deaths of four men killed at the burnt-down Bismarck House Mill in Oldham.

The inquests were opened after the remains of Uoc Van Nguyen, 31, Cuong Van Chu, 39, Duong Van Nguyen, 29, and Nam Thanh Lee, 21, were formally identified using DNA samples from family members in Vietnam following the fire in May.

Firefighters did not believe anyone had been inside the property at the time of the blaze, but demolition workers discovered human remains at the site on July 23, which led to a large police investigation being launched.

At a hearing at Rochdale Coroners Court on Thursday (December 1) senior coroner for Manchester North, Joanne Kearsley opened the inquests of Nam and Duong following their official identification.

Back in August, Ms Kearsley opened inquests into the deaths of Uoc Van Nguyen and Cuong Van Chu who was an unidentified person at the time.

During the inquest, Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that Mr Van Nguyen was identified after fingerprints were obtained which were then searched against those in a national database.

His fingerprints were found to match those belonging to an ID card which is given to each Vietnamese national over a certain age.

Throughout Autumn, eight Greater Manchester Police officers went to Vietnam to speak to family members, obtain statements and collect DNA samples which are required for criminal and coronial proceedings.

GMP took the information from 18 individuals across different regions and spoke to Vietnamese officials, including government and law enforcement, during the visit and all four victims were officially identified last month.

Paying tribute to Cuong, his family said in a statement: “Cuong’s family are devastated at his tragic death in the most terrible circumstances.

"We are grateful for the work by Greater Manchester Police in finding Cuong and we are now wanting to have Cuong returned home to our family in Vietnam to finally lay him to rest peacefully.”

The criminal investigation remains open, and police are still searching the area for evidence.

In August two people arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and other offences in connection with the case were released on bail.

Ms Kearsley adjourned the inquests for all four men until April next year, pending the conclusion of the search and criminal investigation.

Anyone who would like to remain anonymous can share information via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with information should contact Greater Manchester Police via 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

International callers can contact GMP via +441618725050. Information can also be submitted in English or Vietnamese via the Major Incident Public Portal: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)