A man and a young girl have been found dead following a major incident in West Lothian.
Emergency services rushed to Harburn Drive in West Calder after the alarm was raised at around 4pm on Monday. Officers say that, following a report of concern for a person, they found the bodies of a 36-year-old man and a six-year-old girl within a property on the street.
The deaths are currently being treated as “unexplained” and post mortem examinations will take place in due course. Their relatives are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
Pictures taken from the scene on Tuesday morning showed a large forensic tent placed in the garden of a property on the street. Uniformed officers were also seen standing guard at the large cordon.
Chief Inspector Elaine McArthur-Kerr, local area commander, said: “We understand this incident may be very upsetting and worrying for the people living in this community and would ask anyone with any concerns to speak to us.
“A police presence will remain in the area while we carry out investigations and anyone with any concerns, or information, can approach these officers.”
Earlier we told how firefighters gained entry to a property close to Parkhead Primary School before police cordoned off an area of the street. Residents said police described the incident as “serious” and they were unable to access parts of the scheme after tape was placed around a residential property and garden.
Local resident Marlyn Williamson said: “At just after 4pm I noticed the fire brigade with lights on from the front door and thought it was maybe a false alarm being raised. I then heard more police sirens, so I went over to see if there was any fire, but then saw all the police on the scene and more arrived.
“I noticed a house and back garden and part of the street were all taped off by police and they have since tapped off higher up the car park at about 5.30pm. I believe firefighters had to break down a door. No one as I’m aware has been asked to leave or stay in their house. When police were asked what was going on, they just said it was a serious incident.”
A video taken from the scene on Monday showed several areas of the scheme taped off, including a close, with several police vehicles littered throughout the area. A fire engine was also visible in the clip.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 4.05pm on Monday, January 20, to support emergency service partners on Harburn Drive, West Calder. Operations Control mobilised one appliance to the scene and crews gained entry to a dwelling house. Crews left the scene at 5.03pm.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.