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Two bodies found after chemical incident at Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh | Two bodies found after chemical incident at Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh |
(35 minutes later) | |
The bodies of a man and a woman have been found at an Edinburgh hotel where emergency services are dealing with an ongoing chemical incident. | The bodies of a man and a woman have been found at an Edinburgh hotel where emergency services are dealing with an ongoing chemical incident. |
The bodies were found by staff at about 12:15 at the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge. | |
Police Scotland said inquiries were at an early stage and the deaths were being treated as unexplained. | Police Scotland said inquiries were at an early stage and the deaths were being treated as unexplained. |
The road is open but an area around the hotel, including the Scotsman Steps, has been cordoned off. | |
Forensic tests | |
At least 20 firefighters were at the scene. There is not believed to be any wider risk to guests or staff at the five-star hotel as a result of the incident. The sixth floor of the hotel has been evacuated. | |
The BBC's Scotland correspondent James Cook said it did not appear officers were seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths. | |
Speaking at the scene, Ch Insp Murray Dykes said: "At the moment we are treating the deaths as unexplained. We will be doing a full forensic recovery of the bodies and inquiries will continue later today." | |
The ages and nationalities of the deceased have yet to be established. | |
Asked about the possible chemical aspect of the incident, Ch Insp Dykes said: "There has been a hefty response for this. We're treating all things as they come in. | |
"The reason that there has been a full turnout is because we are taking full precautions at the moment." | |
The Scotsman Hotel is situated just off Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a short distance from Princes Street. | The Scotsman Hotel is situated just off Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a short distance from Princes Street. |
It occupies the former Scotsman Newspaper building and opened in 2001 when the paper moved to new premises. | It occupies the former Scotsman Newspaper building and opened in 2001 when the paper moved to new premises. |
Edinburgh's summer season is under way as thousands of performers and tourists visit the Scottish capital for the Fringe Festival, which officially begins on Friday. | Edinburgh's summer season is under way as thousands of performers and tourists visit the Scottish capital for the Fringe Festival, which officially begins on Friday. |