Chemical deaths: Post-mortem examinations will be carried out on couple found dead in Edinburgh hotel

Sixth floor of the Scotsman Hotel had to be evacuated after two bodies were discovered by staff

The sixth floor of the Scotsman Hotel was evacuated after two died in a 'chemical incident' (PA)

Post-mortem examinations will be carried out on the bodies of a man and woman found dead at a luxury hotel in a suspected chemical incident.

Police said the bodies had been removed from the five-star Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh, where they were discovered at lunchtime on Thursday.

The sixth floor had to be evacuated and a large cordon was erected outside the hotel entrance in North Bridge following the discovery of the bodies by staff. Firefighters wore protective clothing such as gas-tight suits and breathing apparatus whilst they responded on the scene.

A chemical incident response was mobilised by the fire service, which saw around 25 firefighters, three pumps and a support crew report to emergency calls at the scene.

Police Scotland are treating the deaths as unexplained.

A statement said: “Early inquiries indicate that this is a chemical-related incident. However, both bodies will undergo forensic analysis.

”Scotland Fire and Rescue carried out robust examination of the hotel room and are satisfied the deaths were isolated to the room only.

“There was, and is, no risk to hotel guests, staff or members of the public in the area surrounding the premises.

”All chemical material of interest to this investigation has now been removed from the hotel.“

The Scotsman Hotel is located on the cusp of the historic Royal Mile and a short distance from Princes Street, the city's main shopping thoroughfare.

Thousands of performers and tourists are currently flocking to Scotland's capital for the Fringe Festival, which begins on Friday.

Additional reporting by PA