The body of a woman in her 30s was found inside a flat at the centre of a chemical scare incident in Lake, Police have confirmed.
It was at lunchtime yesterday (Monday) that emergency services arrived at Flintcroft Gardens after a member of the public discovered a woman deceased in the lounge of a ground-floor flat.
The circumstances of the death – with fears of the presence of a hazardous chemical or substance – prompted an enhanced response with the area cordoned off by Police. Residents in the block of flats were evacuated to nearby Porter Court.
A specialist Detection, Identification and Monitoring Unit from Winchester Fire Station arrived on the scene mid-afternoon with firefighters donning breathing apparatus to enter the property in order to collect a sample of the unknown substance involved.
Paramedics from the South Central Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) also travelled across the Solent from the mainland. The specially-trained medics also donned breathing apparatus and protective clothing before entering the flat.
However, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has now confirmed that no hazardous materials were identified in the end, with the address being deemed safe. Emergency services have now stood down from the incident.
The woman’s next of kin have been informed of her death, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.
Flowers have been left at the scene.
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