AN ELDERLY couple from Weymouth died in ‘tragic’ circumstances from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

The bodies of Leslie and Grace Thomas, aged 84 and 82, were discovered at their home in Quibo Lane, Westham after police were called over a concern for the couple’s welfare.

It is understood the couple died just two weeks after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Friends and family packed into Weymouth Crematorium yesterday where the funeral took place.

Police are still carrying out investigations into how the couple died but a force spokesman said they believed the cause to be carbon monoxide poisoning.

Neighbours said emergency services were at the house for several days after the couple were found on the morning of Monday, November 24.

Firefighters were called with gas-monitoring equipment following the discovery and representatives of gas board Southern Gas Network (SGN) were present.

One couple, who live nearby and did not want to be named, said Mr and Mrs Thomas had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a fortnight before they died.

They added: “They were nice neighbours, very sociable.

“Grace would bring us flowers or vegetables from the garden occasionally.

“It was so tragic, what happened, and our thoughts are with their family.”

The coroner has been notified but an inquest has not yet been opened.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “We were called at 9.11am on Monday, November 24 to a concern for welfare from a member of the public.

“The bodies of an elderly man and woman were found inside the property.

“The deaths are not believed to be suspicious.

“One of the lines of inquiry is carbon monoxide poisoning. The coroner has been notified and inquiries are ongoing.”

The spokesman later said the police’s stance has not changed and carbon monoxide is believed to be the cause of the deaths, but a verdict will be in the hands of the coroner.

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: “We attended an incident first thing in the morning at a property in Westham.

“The police and ambulance service also attended.

“We were called to the property with gas-monitoring equipment.”

The funeral of Mr and Mrs Thomas took place yesterday at Weymouth Crematorium.

Gas is ‘silent killer’

CARBON monoxide is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ and it is believed to cause 200 hospital admissions and 40 deaths in the UK every year.

Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect because it has no smell, taste or colour. It is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal or wood do not burn fully. When as fire burns in an enclosed space, such as a room, the oxygen is gradually used up and replaced with carbon monoxide. The fuel is unable to burn fully and releases carbon monoxide.

After breathing in carbon monoxide, it enters the blood stream and mixes with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin.

When this happens, blood is unable to carry oxygen.