These were the scenes when specialist crews began investigating the suspected double suicide in Putney.

It is now widely believed the two women killed themselves as part of a suicide pact - echoing the deaths of Joanne Lee and Stephen Lumb, who gassed themselves in a car in Braintree, Essex, last week.

Video report from the Press Association:

A neighbour reported the women, who are thought to have met on the internet, used cyanide on a barbecue.

Little is known about the pair but it is understood they were both in their 20s. Neighbours claim one was of African descent but had recently moved from Roehampton.

The other is thought to be white with dark hair.

Police were called at 10.42am yesterday and were initially joined by about 15 firefighters amid reports of a chemical leak.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed chemical experts from both the force and London Fire Brigade attended the second floor flat in Norman Court, Lower Richmond Road.

Police are expected to release more information later today.

Map showing location of Norman Court in Lower Richmond Road, Putney.

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