Three schoolchildren killed in 'suspicious' townhouse blast

The bodies of the primary school children, two boys and a girl, were found after the blast in the city's Slateford Road at about 3pm.

A woman, believed to be the children's mother, was found injured outside the modern terraced block and was treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "A criminal investigation is currently under way and nothing more can be said at this time into the circumstances which led to their deaths."

The children's identities will not be released until post-mortems have been carried out.

At about 3pm, emergency services responded to a report of a gas explosion but investigations revealed no problems with the supply to the townhouse, part of a modern block built about two years ago.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service put out a small fire in the first floor of the house.

Neighbours, who described hearing the noise of a blast and the smell of gas, said they thought the injured woman had jumped.

Omar Barifah, 20, said: "I came outside the building and she was covered up.

"I've been told by neighbours she jumped.

"I'm very sorry. It's a very sad thing to happen."

Moe Harbi, 22, said he had smelt gas at about 1am.

The chemical engineering student, from Saudi Arabia, said: "I thought it was from my flat though I checked the kitchen and the oven and then I slept.

"I didn't think it was from my neighbours."

Mr Harbi said he arrived back at his home shortly after the explosion occurred and was still waiting to get into the property.

Neighbour Fattah Hamami, 19, was sleeping when the explosion occurred.

"There was a big bang and it shook me awake.

"Suddenly the police were there and the keeper opened the door for the police.

"I could smell gas before it happened. It was very strong."

Scotland Gas Networks sent engineers to the scene but said the explosion did not involve its network.

Local councillor Gordon Buchan said Edinburgh City Council would visit the building when it had been made safe and provide assistance to anyone affected by the blast.

Hayley Cormack, 20, an ecological science student who lives in the same block of three-storey town houses, said: "It's a bit worrying as it's something to do with the building. These buildings are only two years old."