Police say they can "rule out direct third-party physical involvement" after a man and a woman were found dead in neighbouring flats on Saturday night.
A neighbour described her horror at finding her friend dead in one of the flats in Manchester before police discovered the body of a male less than three hours later, at 7.10pm.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have issued a statement in the early hours of Sunday, to reassure members of the public after the deaths in the Princess Road area of the city, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Superintendent Mark Kenny said: "The deaths may not be connected but at this stage the precise cause of death cannot be established. However, we can rule out direct third-party physical involvement.
"I would like to reassure the community that there is no wider risk at this time. Detectives are now investigating the circumstances to ascertain the cause of death and will remain at the scene while the investigation is ongoing."
Police were first called to a flat in Princess Road at around 4.20pm on Saturday afternoon to reports a woman had been found dead. A neighbour called the police after finding the woman dead inside.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she was a friend of the woman. She said the woman was in her 60s, and that she went to take her food "every single day."
However, the neighbour said she was left traumatised after she discovered the body when she went into the flat at around 3.15pm. "I ran out of the flat as fast as I could," she said.
Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter
She said she raised the alarm and paramedics and police were soon in attendance. She said the death of the woman had left those living nearby who knew her devastated.
"It's just awful. Everyone knew her, she was part of the community," she said. "She would sit out in the front in her chair having a drink. She was out there last night. I can't believe it."
A couple of hours after police attended, GMP were called over a concern for welfare of a man in a neighbouring flat at around 7.10pm. Police say paramedics were the first to go into the neighbouring flat and found a man dead inside.
The neighbour said those living close by had "no idea" how the two had died.
"It was when a private ambulance came for her that they found the man," she said. "I'd never met him but he lived in the flat next door apparently. We've no idea what's happened, they won't tell us."
Fire crews were later called to the scene on Saturday evening after a reported gas leak, and had to evacuate nearby shops for residents' safety. A fire engine and paramedics could still be seen in south Manchester well into Saturday evening.
Photos from the scene tonight showed a cordon in place outside a row of shops, with a section of the pavement closed off.
A GMP spokesman said: "We were contacted by NWAS at about 4.20pm today regarding a deceased female at an address on Princess Road, Manchester.
"Officers attended and while at the address were further contacted at 7.10pm in relation to a concern for welfare at a neighbouring flat. NWAS attended the address first and, sadly, found a man deceased inside.
"An investigation is under way into both deaths and there is a scene in place. GMFRS attended to test for a gas leak and nearby shops were evacuated as a precaution to ensure public safety. At this stage there is no risk to the wider community and the investigation is at a very early stage."
A GMFRS spokesperson said: "At 7'52pm on Saturday, April 23, fire engines from Withington and Salford fire stations attended a suspected gas leak in a flat on Princess Road, Manchester.
"Firefighters used gas detectors to check the affected and neighbouring properties and supported colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service. Crews remain in attendance."
