Three children killed in Slateford Road gas blast

POLICE have confirmed the deaths of three primary school aged children in an incident in Slateford Road are being treated as suspicious.

• The site of the explosion with emergency services attending. Picture: TSPL/Jayne Emsley

Emergency services were called to the address at around 3pm today following initial reports of a suspected gas explosion and a fire.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police can confirm that the deaths of three primary school aged children in an incident in Slateford Road, Edinburgh today are being treated as suspicious.

"A criminal investigation is currently underway and nothing more can be said at this time into the circumstances which led to their deaths."

No details as to the identity of the children will be issued until after post mortems have been carried out, the spokesman added.

An adult woman, who was found injured on the ground outside the property, remains in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The spokesman added: "Although the gas supply was isolated however it has since transpired there was no fault with the gas supply to the modern three storey townhouse. Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service extinguished a small fire in the first floor of the house."