Gas poisoning fears after two women found dead in city flat

TWO women have been found dead in a flat after suffering suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

Emergency services received a call from a member of the public after the bodies were found around noon yesterday in Glasgow’s Gallowgate.

Police sealed off the area and evacuated neighbouring homes amid fears of a gas leak.

The deaths are being treated as ‘unexplained’ – but are not thought to be suspicious.

One line of inquiry police are pursuing is that the women died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas engineers checked nearby flats as a precaution.

Two fire engines were on scene, although a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said it could not comment as it was a police matter.

The evacuated neighbours were

‘Nobody deserves to die like that’

allowed back into their homes late yesterday afternoon.

One said the flats had recently had new kitchens and boilers fitted. He added that one of the women had lived in the flat, while the other was believed to be her sister-in-law.

He said: ‘It’s tragic. Nobody deserves to die like that in their home.’

Another neighbour said: ‘I used to see the lady who lived in the flat out walking her dog to the shop. She was very quiet, didn’t bother anyone. That’s why I think many people don’t know her by name. I think she had grandchildren. It’s really said.

‘They just fitted us with new boilers eight weeks ago and carbon monoxide detectors. I am very, very interested to see what comes out of this.

‘Everyone is just very shocked by it, really. I haven’t heard of anything like this happening and I’ve lived here 16 years now. I was away at church and when I came back I saw all these police and firemen all over the place and camera crews.

‘You just don’t expect it on your doorstep.’

Gerald MacManus, 61, cares for Katie Johnson, 57, who lives on the first floor of the block of flats. He said: ‘I got a call to say I needed to come and get her out because it might be carbon monoxide poisoning.

‘I just want to get into the flat to check her cat is OK. She is waiting at my flat until it’s safe for her to come back.’

Another neighbour said: ‘I’m a bit shocked about it. Nobody has told me exactly what is happening.’

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘At around 12pm, the bodies of two women were discovered within a property in Dalserf Court, Gallowgate, Glasgow.

‘They are yet to be formally identified. Their deaths are currently being treated as unexplained. However, they are not at this time thought to be suspicious.

‘One line of inquiry is that their deaths may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning, although this has still to be confirmed.

‘As a precaution, nearby residents from a number of flats have been evacuated. Inquiries continue and emergency services remain at the scene.’

A post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death.

Lynne Donnelly, chief executive of the West of Scotland Housing Association, said: ‘We are aware of the incident at our property at Dalserf Court and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those involved.

‘As this is an ongoing police investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further until the investigation is complete.’

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said initial inquiries were being made.