Deadly carbon monoxide fumes from a gas-fired water heater caused the tragic deaths of a man and woman at their home in Cresselly at the weekend, it was confirmed this week.

Emergency services were called to Schwandi, White Hill, at approximately 1.45 pm on Saturday after 22-year-old RosaLyn Harries and her 31-year-old partner Karl Bissett had been discovered unconscious by Miss Harries's father.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the couple, but they were both found to be dead on arrival at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.

The couple had only moved to the premises about a week before to stay with Miss Harries' parents, retired schoolteachers, John and Brenda Harries. They had previously lived at 14 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock.

The house was sealed off while police, fire officers and the Health and Safety Executive investigated the cause.

Post mortems carried out confirmed the cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning and inquiries have centred around a gas boiler on the premises.

Health and Safety Executive engineers conducted tests at the premises over two days and their full findings will be reported to HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire, Mr. Michael Howells, in due course.

Mr. Harries, who taught history at Pembroke School for more than 30 years, and former Greenhill School teacher Mrs. Harries, were being comforted by family and friends in the village this week.

Miss Harries, who has a young son living in Pembroke Dock, only returned to the area recently and the couple were staying with Miss Harries's parents temporarily.

"This appears to be a very tragic accident which occurred in a brief period of time," said Detective Inspector Jim Morris, of Pembroke Dock police.

"It appears that there may have been a problem with the boiler for some years and this could have happened at any time. We have the greatest sympathy for the families."

The funeral of Mr. Bissett took place at Zion Free Chruch, Pembroke Dock, yesterday (Thursday).

Miss Harries's funeral takes place today (Friday) with a service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, at 2.30 pm.