Manchester bar One Eight Six given go ahead to reopen two years after devastating fire on New Year's Eve

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

One Eight Six has been given the go ahead to finally reopen almost two years after a devastating fire tore through the packed-out bar amid New Year's Eve celebrations.

The secret underground bar, on Deansgate in Manchester city centre, has been closed ever since the blaze broke out in the early hours of January 2022 - just minutes after those inside excitedly counted down the seconds to the new year.

Around 170 people had to be swiftly evacuated as fire crews and emergency services descended on the busy street. Horrifying video footage later revealed the moment that festive decorations appeared to catch fire from sparklers as revellers ran for safety.

Two men were taken to hospital for treatment after inhaling smoke, with a third treated at the scene by paramedics. READ MORE What's on news and headlines here READ MORE Greater Manchester town WILL have Christmas lights switch-on - even though Manchester won't After the blaze, a statement posted on social media by the venue said the main room in the basement bar, and everything in it, had been left 'completely destroyed'.