'Chemical incident' hotel reopens

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A north London hotel has reopened after guests were evacuated over a suspected "chemical incident" following the discovery of the bodies of two women.

The women, who police believe committed suicide, were found in a room at the Costello Hotel in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, at midday on Sunday.

About 70 guests and staff were evacuated from the premises after fire officials found a powder in the room.

The result of post-mortem tests on both women is expected later.

One of the women was in her 30s, the other in her 50s, who the police said were "believed to have committed suicide by taking a noxious substance".

Guests 'shocked'

About 15 emergency service vehicles attended the scene and surrounding roads were cordoned off as London Fire Brigade said they were treating the incident as "a confirmed chemical incident".

A number of fire service staff dressed with specialist breathing equipment were also seen entering the hotel.

A hotel guest, Eileen Early, 43, from Great Dunmow, Essex, added: "It's just awful when you think about it.

"It's such a shock to realise that this has gone on while we were inside the hotel."

Another guest, Perry Williamson, 48, from Halstead in Essex, said he realised something was "badly wrong" when he returned around lunchtime.

"The place was all taped off and there were police and fire brigade everywhere," he said.