A man and a woman have been taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter following the tragic death of a one-year-old girl in a flat where hazardous chemicals were reported. The incident occurred in Barking Road, Upton Park, Newham, East London. Emergency services responded to a call reporting a smell of chemicals in the flat after the one-year-old, a six-year-old, and two adults sought medical attention. Tragically, the infant passed away in the hospital, with authorities indicating she had been exposed to the chemicals.
Law enforcement officials announced the arrest of a 41-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, neither of whom were known to the victim, who are currently in custody on suspicion of manslaughter. As a precautionary measure, approximately 12 individuals from neighboring properties were evacuated by the London Fire Brigade. The Metropolitan Police is providing support to the girl’s family as they investigate the incident, clarifying that it is not linked to terrorism.
According to a police statement, the one-year-old girl’s demise was linked to exposure to chemicals in the Newham flat. The London Fire Brigade alerted the police about the hazardous chemicals at the location on Barking Road, Upton Park, on Tuesday afternoon. The adults and the six-year-old child who were also affected received treatment at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The London Fire Brigade conducted a thorough search for hazardous materials at the property and confirmed the tragic loss of a child due to the hazardous materials incident in Newham. Firefighters responded promptly to the scene and worked diligently to ensure the safety of the area. The incident is currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service, in collaboration with the Fire Brigade.