Woman in her 20s found dead after serious ‘chemical incident’ in Oxford
Firefighters donned specialist chemical protection suits and neighbours were asked if they had smelled gas
A YOUNG woman in her 20s has been found dead and a street ‘locked down’ after a serious chemical incident near Oxford University.
Firefighters wearing chemical protection suits were called to the residential road where neighbours were evacuated and others ordered to stay indoors.
The body of a woman, aged in her mid to late 20s, was found after fire crews, paramedics and police officers were called to a "fear for welfare" incident at a property in Magdalen Road in Oxford, at breakfast-time today.
It was believed that she had access to chemicals but it was not known whether she worked at the university laboratories.
Police confirmed the road had now reopened but refused to disclose further details of the incident after officers sealed off the road and told people living in the street to stay inside.
Emergency responders arrived "with sirens on and blue lights blazing" and were joined by police in unmarked cars and several fire engines just before 8am.
A man who lives in a flat on the road said emergency services banged on his door at 8.46am and evacuated his building. He said police officers asked him if he had smelt anything in the building.
Sam Diliberto, a local shop owner, added: "We were told by firefighters that there is a chemical incident further down the road but that's all we really know.”
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said officers were called at 7.58am and in a statement added: "Police are dealing with a fear for welfare incident in Magdalen Road."
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