Gardai investigate deaths of two in west Dublin

Gardai are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of a man and a woman in an apartment in Blanchardstown, west Dublin.

The two bodies were discovered by a relative who called to the flat off Snugborough Road at about 7.45 p.m. yesterday.

Gardaí have sealed off the area for examination by forensic and technical experts.

The State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, is to carry out post-mortems today.

There were conflicting reports early this morning as to what caused the deaths.

Garda sources said they believed the two people, whose bodies were found in separate rooms, may have been overcome by fumes from a fire in the kitchen of the apartment. However, a spokesman for the fire service said it did not believe the fire was responsible for the deaths.

Both victims were in their early 20s and from the area, according to gardaí.

One of the bodies was discovered in an upstairs bedroom, the other in a bathroom. Gardaí said there was extensive smoke damage to the interior.

It is understood the woman's young child was being looked after by a friend in another location at the time of the incident and thus escaped injury.

A fire service ambulance was the first emergency service unit to arrive at the scene once the alarm had been raised. It helped to extinguish the fire, which it is believed was caused by a pot which had been left on a gas stove.

According to emergency personnel, the fire had almost extinguished itself by the time they arrived.

A spokesman for the fire service described the blaze as "very small", adding: "It seems at this stage the fire did not cause the tragedy." Initial reports from gardaí, however, indicated the deaths were caused accidentally though smoke inhalation.