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A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a one-year-old girl died following a suspected chemical incident in a Newham flat. A 41-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested on Wednesday and remain in custody, the Met Police said. The pair are not known to the victim, the force added. Firefighters rushed to a flat on Barking Road in Upton Park at 1.18pm on Tuesday after two adults and two children attended the hospital complaining about a smell of chemicals in a flat. The London Fire Brigade confirmed one of the children later died in hospital while receiving treatment. The adults and other child, aged six, were treated at hospital. The police said it is believed the child died after coming into contact with chemicals. Their injuries were confirmed as not life-threatening or life-changing. The girl’s next of kin are being supported by specialist officers and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues. It is understood that the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Around 12 people were evacuated from surrounding homes as a precaution while the LFB responded to the incident. Specially trained firefighters carried out a systematic sweep of the affected property, working to see if there were any hazardous materials present and ventilated the scene. A Newham Council spokesperson previously said: "First of all, our thoughts are with the family of the young child who has so tragically lost their life in this terrible incident."Details about the exact nature of the incident are not yet clear and the Metropolitan Police will remain on the scene as the investigation progresses. "As a council we have taken speedy measures to ensure those residents who were evacuated are being cared for in a warm, safe environment."
