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Father held over children deaths Father held over children deaths
(30 minutes later)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his two children after they were found unconscious and died later in hospital. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his two children, who died after being found unconscious at their home in south Manchester.
A boy, aged two, and his sister, aged four, were found at a flat in Whalley Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, shortly after 0800 BST. A boy, aged two, and his sister, aged four, were found at a flat in Whalley Road, Whalley Range, at about 0800 BST.
Attempts were made at the scene to resuscitate the children. Attempts were made at the scene to resuscitate the children but they died in hospital later.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said a 37-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Their 37-year-old father is being held on suspicion of murder and post-mortem examinations will be carried out later.
'Very shocking''Very shocking'
A GMP spokeswoman said: "The 37-year-old man is due to be questioned by officers. Inquiries are continuing." Det Supt Geoff Wessell, of Greater Manchester Police, said the man is believed to have recently separated from the children's mother.
The three-storey block where the children were found, Lansbury House, is managed by Contour Housing, according to a plaque outside.The three-storey block where the children were found, Lansbury House, is managed by Contour Housing, according to a plaque outside.
'This is a quite horrendous incident'
The block is on a street in Whalley Range, a suburb two miles south of the city centre.The block is on a street in Whalley Range, a suburb two miles south of the city centre.
I'm shocked, I just can't believe it, I can't understand what's happened Sophie Partington, neighbour
Neighbour Ben Draper, 32, a tree surgeon, said: "To hear what has happened is very shocking."Neighbour Ben Draper, 32, a tree surgeon, said: "To hear what has happened is very shocking."
Forensic science investigators are examining the ground floor flat and part of the gardens outside its patio door.Forensic science investigators are examining the ground floor flat and part of the gardens outside its patio door.
Mussi Gebremariam, 32, who lives in a ground floor flat opposite to where the children lived, said: "I know the woman, and her two children, but I don't know them closely.Mussi Gebremariam, 32, who lives in a ground floor flat opposite to where the children lived, said: "I know the woman, and her two children, but I don't know them closely.
"We say hi when we see each other. She's from South Africa."We say hi when we see each other. She's from South Africa.
"Last year I asked her where she was from and she told me she was from there."Last year I asked her where she was from and she told me she was from there.
Examinations of the garden are also being carried outExaminations of the garden are also being carried out
"I saw the children running around a lot. They looked happy and I'm shocked to hear that this has happened.""I saw the children running around a lot. They looked happy and I'm shocked to hear that this has happened."
They were described as a "normal, happy Christian family" by another neighbour.They were described as a "normal, happy Christian family" by another neighbour.
Sophie Partington, 34, who also lives in Lansbury House, said: "I'm shocked, I just can't believe it, I can't understand what's happened.Sophie Partington, 34, who also lives in Lansbury House, said: "I'm shocked, I just can't believe it, I can't understand what's happened.
"The kids were lovely, cute little kids. He was finding his feet and she was starting school."The kids were lovely, cute little kids. He was finding his feet and she was starting school.
"Eva (my neighbour) was with them at the church on Saturday at the Harvest Festival doing face-painting. She said they had a really lovely day."Eva (my neighbour) was with them at the church on Saturday at the Harvest Festival doing face-painting. She said they had a really lovely day.
"The kids seemed really happy and well cared for. I can't understand how something like this could happen, underneath where you live, I didn't hear anything this morning." "The kids seemed really happy and well cared for. I can't understand how something like this could happen, underneath where you live. I didn't hear anything this morning."
Detectives from GMP are expected to give more details of the investigation later.Detectives from GMP are expected to give more details of the investigation later.