This neighbourhood in Rochdale, just out of the town centre, is covered in festive decorations and is filled with families celebrating Christmas – but a tragedy is now unfolding as two people have died following an incident at their home.
A man in his 60s and a woman in her 80s, understood to be mother and son, have both died. The man in his 60s was discovered dead at the scene at their property in Foxholes Road yesterday (December 27), while the woman in her 80s later died in hospital, police have confirmed.
Neighbours were left shocked last night as emergency services piled into their residential surroundings. One neighbour told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s incredibly sad.”
Another added: “Especially around Christmas time, we were just filled with dread when we saw all the all the police arrive.”
One neighbour told the M.E.N. there were as many as four fire engines, six police cars, a host of ambulances, and gas workers from Cadent.
This huge emergency response was followed by forensics in white suits, according to another neighbour.
Police say they were alerted to the home through a call of concern for the welfare of the people inside. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the two deaths, but investigations are ongoing, said Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
It is believed that the gas at the property has been part of the ongoing investigation. Surrounding neighbours have said their gas supplies have been checked and affirmed as safe.
Emergency services and Cadent engineers at the scene
(Image: Snapchat)
Cadent has said: “We attended a property in Foxholes Road, Rochdale, last night, in support of other emergency services. After making sure everything associated with gas is safe, we left the scene within about 45 minutes.”
Some people in the area have reported hearing a loud bang followed by the arrival of emergency services, but there is confusion in the street as others say they heard a loud bang as police had to force their way into the property and knock the back door down. The M.E.N. has not being able to confirm the cause of any bang heard.
The emergency services have now left the scene with the house now remaining quiet. A spokesperson for GMP told the M.E.N.: “At around 5.10pm on Friday 27 December 2024, we were called to reports of a concern for welfare on Foxholes Road in Rochdale.
“Sadly, a man in his 60s was found dead at the scene and a woman in her 80s later died in hospital.
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths. Investigations are ongoing.”