Pair die in 'copper cable theft'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8095826.stm

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Two men have died during a suspected burglary at a factory on a Black Country industrial estate.

Police said the men from Dudley may have been electrocuted by live copper cabling at Fontana Ltd, in Cakemore Road, Halesowen, on Wednesday evening.

They said an activated fire suppression system, which released carbon dioxide, may also have caused their deaths.

Two men aged 18 and 24 and from Dudley, who had accompanied the dead men, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Cordoned off

Emergency services were called to the factory, on the Excelsior Industrial Estate, at about 2330 BST.

Technical experts worked overnight to make safe the unit, which was believed to be connected to a 10,000-volt electricity supply.

The identities of the dead men have not been released.

The factory unit will remain cordoned off until at least Friday to enable forensic investigators and Health and Safety Executive officials to examine the area, a spokesman for West Midlands Police said.