Lothian and Borders Police have confirmed the deaths of two boys and a girl of primary school age after an "explosion" in a block of flats in Slateford Road, Edinburgh today (Wednesday, August 4, 2010). The incident is being treated as "suspicious" by the police.
Emergency services responded around 3pm to an initial report of a gas explosion in Slateford Road. The fire in the first floor of the three storey modern town house was extinguished by Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and the property made safe. The gas supply at the scene was isolated as a precaution, however no fault with the gas supply was subsequently found.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "A criminal investigation is currently underway and nothing more can be said at this time into the circumstances which led to their deaths."
The identity of the children will not be issued until after post mortems have been carried out.
An adult woman, who was found injured on the ground outside the property, remains in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Other properties in the vicinity have been unaffected by the incident.