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05/08/2010
Childrens' Deaths In Gas Explosion 'Suspicious'
The deaths of three young children in an apparent gas explosion in a flat in Edinburgh are being treated as suspicious.
The children, who have been named in reports as Gianluca and Austin Riggi, eight-year-old twin boys, and their five-year-old sister Cecilla, were found dead in the flat in Slateford Road around 3pm on Wednesday.
Emergency services had been called to the scene, following reports of a gas explosion. However, Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that although the gas supply was isolated, there was no fault with the supply to the building. A small fire was extinguished at the scene.
A woman, reported to be the children's mother, 46-year-old Theresa Riggi, was injured in the incident. It is understood that she was found outside the flats. She is now being treated in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and police are waiting to question her about the incident. Detective Superintendent Allan Jones said: "We are not in a position to speak to the woman yet and we will take advice from her doctors as to when that can happen. We would like to do that to get a true background to the events of yesterday and find out exactly what happened within the house."
It is understood that police have spoken to the children's father, Pasquale Riggi, but that he has not been interviewed as a suspect. Mr Riggi, who lives and works in the Aberdeen area, is now working with detectives to provide detailed information about the family's background.
According to reports, Mr and Mrs Riggi are going through divorce proceedings.
Det Supt Jones said: "The woman and children had been traced to the address in Slateford Road last month, after they had been reported missing from their home in the Aberdeen area. It was the first knowledge of the family in the Edinburgh area and they were safe and well at that time.
"The family had been in the city for a few weeks and we are keen to speak to anyone who knew them during that time.
"Anyone who knew the detail of their movements and of their lifestyle here is asked to get in touch with us. This is a bit of a dark area for us at the moment and we are keen to shed some light on it."
Post-mortems are due to be carried out on the children, but it is understood that they did not die as a result of the suspected explosion or fire.
A detailed forensic examination is being carried out at the Slateford Road property.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 0131 311 3131.
(KMcA/BMcC)
The children, who have been named in reports as Gianluca and Austin Riggi, eight-year-old twin boys, and their five-year-old sister Cecilla, were found dead in the flat in Slateford Road around 3pm on Wednesday.
Emergency services had been called to the scene, following reports of a gas explosion. However, Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that although the gas supply was isolated, there was no fault with the supply to the building. A small fire was extinguished at the scene.
A woman, reported to be the children's mother, 46-year-old Theresa Riggi, was injured in the incident. It is understood that she was found outside the flats. She is now being treated in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and police are waiting to question her about the incident. Detective Superintendent Allan Jones said: "We are not in a position to speak to the woman yet and we will take advice from her doctors as to when that can happen. We would like to do that to get a true background to the events of yesterday and find out exactly what happened within the house."
It is understood that police have spoken to the children's father, Pasquale Riggi, but that he has not been interviewed as a suspect. Mr Riggi, who lives and works in the Aberdeen area, is now working with detectives to provide detailed information about the family's background.
According to reports, Mr and Mrs Riggi are going through divorce proceedings.
Det Supt Jones said: "The woman and children had been traced to the address in Slateford Road last month, after they had been reported missing from their home in the Aberdeen area. It was the first knowledge of the family in the Edinburgh area and they were safe and well at that time.
"The family had been in the city for a few weeks and we are keen to speak to anyone who knew them during that time.
"Anyone who knew the detail of their movements and of their lifestyle here is asked to get in touch with us. This is a bit of a dark area for us at the moment and we are keen to shed some light on it."
Post-mortems are due to be carried out on the children, but it is understood that they did not die as a result of the suspected explosion or fire.
A detailed forensic examination is being carried out at the Slateford Road property.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 0131 311 3131.
(KMcA/BMcC)
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