Two men were found dead at a house in Swindon on Tuesday afternoon (11 November).
Wiltshire Police say emergency services were called to Morrison Street by a member of the public, who found the pair – aged 32 and 34 – unresponsive.
First responders were seen dressed in white suits and were wearing masks while attending the scene, rumoured to be over concerns about chemicals.
An eyewitness told of how they ‘saw someone being dragged out of the house by firefighters’. Adding: ‘They were being pulled by their arms, they didn’t look conscious.’
Another spoke of how firefighters ‘carrying big trauma bags’ ran to the aid of a person – who it’s thought was pulled from the address for further treatment.
Despite the major 999 response, including an ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), police believe had been no risk to the general public.
It wasn’t until an assessment of the property was carried out that cordons could be lifted and residents allowed to access their homes without the need for protective suits.
In a new statement today (Wednesday), the force said: “We can confirm that two men were found deceased at an address in Morrison Street, Swindon last night.
“Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene by a member of the public – after the two men, aged 32 and 34, were found to be unresponsive.
“Although formal identification has yet to take place, the men’s next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time.
“Precautionary examination of the scene confirmed that there was no wider risk to the public and their death is being treated as non-suspicious.
“Members of the public may notice increased police presence in the area, in order to provide further community reassurance.”
At the time of the incident unfolding, other emergency services issued the following statements.
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 14:46hrs on Tuesday 11 November to an incident in Swindon.
“We sent three double-crewed land ambulances, an operations officer, and the hazardous area response team to the scene.”
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 3pm today to assist the ambulance service with an incident at a property on Morrison Street, Rodbourne, Swindon.
“Two appliances are in attendance, from Swindon and Stratton and crews are still on scene assisting our partners.”
