Elderly married couple battling ill-health were found dead in gas-filled home on first day of second lockdown after death of their beloved dog Lulu

• Stanley Grout, 79, and his wife June, 80, were discovered on Thursday
• They were found alongside chemicals in their semi-detached house
• Couple were ill and left devastated by death of their dog Lulu earlier this year 

An elderly couple who battled ill health and had been left heartbroken after their dog passed away were found dead in their gas-filled home on the first day of the new national lockdown.

Retired lorry driver Stanley Grout, 79, and his wife June, 80, were discovered on Thursday alongside chemicals in their semi-detached house.

Police say their deaths are being treated as 'unexplained' but they are not looking for anyone else.

They were 'found unresponsive' by neighbours who checked on them at their home in Old Becclesgate, Dereham, Norfolk.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews including paramedics in a Hazardous Area Response Team attended but the couple were pronounced dead at the scene.

Residents of nearby homes were evacuated and not allowed to return for five hours while fireifghters and paramedics in chemical protection suits went in and out of the house.

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Stanley Grout, 79, also known as Peter who was found dead yesterday at his home

Family friend Tina Myhill, 42, said: 'They were both getting on a bit and getting poorly.

'I know June was really ill. She had arthritis in her knees and a stomach problem. He was always getting her medicine from Boots, and I think he had arthritis in his hands.

'They went a bit downhill after they lost their dog Lulu earlier this year. They were heartbroken to lose her because they were real animal lovers.

'He always had dog treats in his pocket and would give them to any dog he came across.

'Everyone knew him as Grouty and he also used his middle name Peter. They were a very nice couple and I am shocked to bits about what has happened.

'Grouty was really good friends with my dad and sat with him every night for more than two years when he was seriously ill before he died a few years ago.

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Police standing guard outside the semi detached house where the couple were found dead

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Police are treating the death as 'unexplained' but not looking for anyone else in connection

'He was very comical and loved a joke. When I was a little girl, he would bring us little treats on Valentine's Day and we would call him Father Valentine.

'I used to see him out and about when he was having a flutter in the bookies.

'I didn't really talk to him about lockdown, but I can't imagine he was happy with it. He didn't like the Government and he used to have a lot to say about them. He was very opinionated.'

Ms Myhill said she could not believe that the couple had taken their own lives.

She said: 'Grouty adored his daughter and granddaughter, so I just can't see it.

'His opinion was that it was the coward's way out. He thought that people who did that were selfish. I can't for a second believe it - but I know people do crazy things.'

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Police are treating the two deaths as 'unexplained' but are not looking for anyone else

A Norfolk Police statement said: 'Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man and woman in Dereham.

'Emergency services were called to a property in Old Becclesgate yesterday shortly before 12pm after concerns had been raised for the welfare of a couple.

'The bodies of a man and woman, aged in their 70s and 80s, were found inside the property.

'The deaths continue to be treated as unexplained and a further examination of the scene will be conducted today. Post mortem examinations will be held in due course.

'A cordon has been put in place while enquiries continue. Next of kin have been informed.'

A near neighbour of the couple who asked not to be named said: 'I would speak to the man quite often. He would often say hello.

'I I last saw him about two or three days ago working on his car in front of his house, but I had not seen his wife for two or three weeks. He was always polite and friendly.'

Another neighbour said: 'I was about to go out when I saw ambulance crews arrive in full chemical protection suits.

'I thought at first that it was related to Covid-19 - but then we were told to leave as there was a smell of something.

'Our car was blocked in by the emergency vehicles and we had to stand around at the end of the road with our one-year-old baby.

'We could not go anywhere like a café or a pub because of the lockdown rules. The emergency services were describing it as a hot zone and were keeping everyone away.'

Sales administrator Natasha Thew, 32, who lives two doors away from Mr and Mrs Grout, said: 'They were always very nice.

'I would see them at weekends and he would always put his hand up to say hello. I didn't see so much of her. It would be usually be when they were getting in the car together.

'She had a couple of walking sticks and was a bit unstable. I am pretty sure that he carried on going to the shops in the last lockdown.'

Lawrence Wolfe, 31, who lives opposite said: 'I didn't see much of the couple who lived in the house at all.

'But I think I saw them once when they came out to join in the clapping for the NHS during the first lockdown.'

Another resident said: 'I came home from work to find hoards of emergency services everywhere.'

Heidi-Marie Cocks, who lives in the street with her one-year-old daughter, said: 'There was police, fire and ambulance crews outside and doctors around as well.

Ms Cocks said after being asked to leave their homes, people were standing outside while unsure when they would be able to return.

She added: 'It's such a quiet estate, you never expect anything like this to happen, it's very scary.

'At one point there were six ambulances here and four fire engines - you just don't expect anything like this to happen.'.

People living in the neighbouring homes who were not evacuated made tea for the emergency service workers attending the incident.