Police have today launched an investigation after a woman and a man were both found dead in a flat which neighbours claim to have been told was ‘full of gas’ when officers arrived.
Detectives and police forensic officers have this morning been seen at the property in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, following the discovery of the two bodies last night.
Floral tributes have also been left at the scene in Oxford Avenue.
Today the female victim has been named locally as mother-of-two Alex Mills, who was described by friends as ‘bubbly and friendly’.
Miss Mills, 33, was said to have been in a relationship for several years with her boyfriend called Raj and they had talked about getting married.
Police and firefighters have this morning been seen at the property in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, following the discovery of the two bodies last night
Police and forensic experts have been seen bringing their equipment in and out of the property in Oxford Avenue
She had worked as a barmaid at the JD Wetherspoon pub The Troll Cart in Great Yarmouth, according to locals.
She did not live with her two daughters, aged around 12 and nine, even though they were regular visitors to her home.
Norfolk Police say they forced entry to the property around 7.30pm yesterday.
It is believed that a relative had raised the alarm after getting no reply from the flat.
Detectives are currently treating their deaths as ‘unexplained’ and are carrying out enquiries today.
Meanwhile, nearby neighbours say they were ordered to leave their homes by firefighters as the flat was thought to be full of gas.
One neighbour said: ‘We were told we had to get out because of the gas. We still do not know what happened.’
The East of England Ambulance Service also sent its hazardous area response team to the scene.
White-suited police forensic officers were seen searching for evidence at the flat today and four fire crews arrived at the scene shortly before noon.
Norfolk Police say they forced entry to the property around 7.30pm yesterday. It is believed that a relative had raised the alarm after getting no reply from the flat.
Floral tributes have been left outside the home, where police and firefighters have been all morning
Meanwhile a friend of Miss Mills, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I am shocked and really numb about what has happened. She was just a lovely person.
‘A friend texted me to say what had happened. It is just awful
‘I remember her as a bubbly and lovely and friendly person. If I was having down patches, she would always cheer me up.
‘She was always supportive and would go with me for hospital appointments.’
Speaking about Miss Mill’s relationship, which she described as ‘volatile’, the friend said: ‘She met Raj on an internet dating site and they had been together on and off for four or five years.
‘They got together more seriously a couple of years ago, but he was very possessive and he stopped her speaking to me. He was very domineering.
‘He came from Buckinghamshire and would regularly come up here. They were supposed to be moving in together and he was talking about buying her flat. They were also going to get married.
‘She was happy, but she had her doubts about him. She came up to mine, saying she did not know what to do, and whether to get rid of him.
‘He promised her so many things, but I don’t think half of it would have happened anyway.
This morning, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service cordoned off the flat and three neighbouring homes with tape while they carried out checks to make sure the area was safe.
A police officer in a patrol car was stationed outside overnight and detectives along with forensic officers returned to the scene this morning.
A Norfolk Police statement said: ‘Police can confirm two bodies were discovered at a property in Gorleston on Tuesday.
‘Emergency services were called to an address in Oxford Avenue shortly after 7.30pm after police received a report of concern for the safety of a person at the property.
Four fire engines and a number of police cars were also seen at the scene this morning following the discovery last night
Philippa Grimmer, 50, who lives opposite, said: ‘We saw them turn the gas off at in cupboard outside the flat.’
‘Officers forced entry to the property and discovered the bodies of a man and woman in one of the rooms. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
‘The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained and officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
‘A police cordon remains in place at the address while officers carry out their enquiries.’
One local resident said: ‘There were some relatives who were apparently trying to get into the flat and they raised the alarm when they got no reply.
‘The police turned up first, and then there was ambulances and the fire brigade. Neighbours had to get out and were standing on the other side of the road.
‘The lady’s relatives were still there and were really upset. It was quite distressing.’
Other neighbours described two fire appliances and two ambulances along with several police cars at the scene.
Philippa Grimmer, 50, who lives opposite, said: ‘We saw them turn the gas off at in cupboard outside the flat.
‘I saw the guys in white forensic suits working in an upstairs room and taking pictures. My daughter was really frightened because she suffers from anxiety.’