Two women, believed to be a mum and her teenage daughter, have been found dead at a house in Lancashire.
Officers were called to an address on Colne Road, Reedley at around 8.45am on Thursday to a report of a concern for safety.
Police discovered the bodies of two women inside the property. There was evidence of fire and smoke damage inside the house.
While they have not been formally identified the women are believed to be mother and daughter Dr Saman Mir Sacharvi, 49, and Vian Magrio, 14, who lived together at the house.
Vian Magrio was a pupil at Marsden Heights School in Nelson.
Their next of kin have been informed and they are being supported by specially trained officers.
Both deaths are at this stage being treated as unexplained and Home Office post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course to try to establish the cause of death.
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Supt Jon Holmes, Lancashire Constabulary’s Head of Major Crime, said: “These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are very much with the loved ones of Dr Sacharvi and Miss Magrio at this time.
“We remain in the relatively early stages of what is a major investigation with a dedicated team of detectives and staff following a number of lines of enquiry in order to piece together what has happened.
“At this stage it is too early to say what has led to the deaths of Dr Sacharvi and Miss Magrio and we are keeping an open mind.
“I would appeal to anyone who has any information, or who has seen anything suspicious at or around the address to come forward and contact us. Even if you think that the information you have may be insignificant please come and speak to us and let us be the judge.
“We recognise the impact on the community that this incident may create and we have extra patrols in and around the area as reassurance.
"If anyone has information or concerns they should feel free to approach any of our officers."
Anyone with information can contact police on quoting log 0298 of October 1 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
