A man in his 20s has died and a block of flats near Kingston town centre has been evacuated after a suspected toxic gas leak.
Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to Fairfax House in Livesey Close just after 8am this morning.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police initially said the death, just off Villiers Road, was being treated as unexplained but the CID have since declared the death to be "non suspicious".
CID officers said the evacuation of residents lasted about five minutes while firefighters investigated.
At the flat this morning shortly after midday police were still maintaining a presence. The windows of a downstairs flat were all open.
A radiator had been removed from the flat and taken outside and propped against a garage.
A landlord had also arrived to see if it was his property where the death ocurred. He said he recognised the radiator to be from a flat he owned.
Outside Fairfax House
A Met Police spokesman said: “We were called by London Ambulance Service at 8.06am to reports of an unexplained death.
“A man in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene. The surrounding area was evacuated due to the possible presence of a noxious gas.”
In a rush to get to the scene a police van crashed into a car knocking off the wing mirror in nearby Winery Lane.
real sad news about this "toxic gas leak" in Livesey Close. all thoughts with those affected. authorities are still investigating what/how
— jon tolley (@JonTolleyTweets) December 14, 2015
The landlord of flat 1 Philip Elwood had rushed down to check on his tenants in Fairfax House. Both of them were not hurt.
He said: "It was worrying but it appears to be flat 4. [My tenant] says it was a suicide.
"I have been renting the flat for two and a half years but don't know the person upstairs."
Another resident of Fairfax House, who did not want to be named, said: "I have heard it was the man in number 4. I saw him only a few times. He was quite reserved.
"We were evacuated this morning but have not been told what happened."
Police have not confirmed the death to be a suicide. This will be determined by a coroner at a later date.
The Mind charity promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Its helpline number is 03001 233 393.
To get in touch with the Samaritans in Kingston day or night call 116 123 or text 07725 909 090 or email jo@samaritans.org.
Samaritans lend a confidential ear to those in distress.
- Did you see what happened? Get in touch on 020 8722 6368 or ellie.cambridge@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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