Demolition starts at flat where couple were poisoned with Novichok

Updated

The flat where a woman was fatally poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok is being demolished.

Dawn Sturgess, 44, collapsed at her partner Charlie Rowley’s home on June 30 2018 after coming into contact with a perfume bottle containing Novichok.

She died in hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on July 8.

Mr Rowley was left seriously ill but recovered.

The start of demolition work at the former home of Novichok victim Charlie Rowley, on Muggleton Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire
The start of demolition work at the former home of Novichok victim Charlie Rowley, on Muggleton Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire

His flat in Amesbury is situated eight miles away from Salisbury, where Russian former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the nerve agent in March 2018.

On Monday, housing provider Stonewater said it had worked “very closely” with Wiltshire Council and consulted with residents on the best way forward for Mr Rowley’s former home.

It confirmed that demolition work was now under way at two flats on Muggleton Road.

“The cleared area will be landscaped, creating additional green space for the local community and we’ll be providing two additional homes at an alternative development nearby to ensure that there is no loss of affordable housing in south Wiltshire,” a spokeswoman said.

“Whilst we cannot forget the events that unfolded at this property, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to work together to come to this successful conclusion and we’ll be doing our absolute best to minimise disruption.”

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