A man and a woman have been arrested after a one-year-old girl died when she ‘came into contact with chemicals’ in a flat in east London.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remain in police custody.
Officers said the little girl was not known to the pair before the incident.
Emergency services were called to a flat on Barking Road, Upton Park, in Newham, at around 1.20pm yesterday after two adults and two children reported ‘a smell of chemicals’.
All four were taken to hospital, where the infant tragically died while receiving treatment.
The force said: ‘The arrest follows the death of a one-year-old girl, who is believed to have come into contact with chemicals in a flat in Newham. The pair are not known to the victim.
‘The London Fire Brigade called police to Barking Road, Upton Park, at around 1.20pm on Tuesday following reports of hazardous chemicals in a residential property. Two adults and another child, aged six, were treated at hospital. Their injuries were confirmed as not life-threatening or life-changing.
‘The girl’s next of kin are being supported by specialist officers. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues.’
It is understood the incident is not believed to be related to terrorism.
Firefighters, who evacuated around 12 people from the surrounding properties, were drafted in from Poplar, Millwall, and Euston.
The flat was then ventilated and underwent a sweep ‘to detect any hazardous materials present’.
Analysis at the scene lasted for around three hours and emergency crews departed shortly after 4.20pm.
The cause of the incident is not yet clear, but it is now subject to investigation by the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade.
Those evacuated from their homes are being supported by Newham Council, who said its thoughts are ‘with the family of the young child who has so tragically lost their life in this terrible incident’.
A council spokesperson added: ‘Details about the exact nature of the incident are not yet clear and the Metropolitan Police will remain on the scene as the investigation progresses.
‘As a council we have taken speedy measures to ensure those residents who were evacuated are being cared for in a warm, safe environment.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it was called to the street by the fire service following reports of the ‘chemicals’.
The fire service said: ‘Crews were mobilised to a property on Barking Road, Upton Park, after two adults and two children attended hospital complaining about a smell of chemicals in a flat.
‘Sadly, one of the children later died in hospital whilst receiving treatment.
‘Around 12 people were evacuated from surrounding properties as a precaution whilst crews responded.
‘Specially trained firefighters carried out a systematic sweep of the affected property, working to detect any hazardous materials present and ventilate the scene.
‘The first call reporting the incident was received at 1318, and firefighters from Poplar, Millwall, Euston and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The incident was over for crews by 1623.
‘The incident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service, supported by the Brigade.’
