A 19-year-old woman has died after she was attacked by a dog, thought to be an XL bully, inside a flat in Bristol.

Two people were arrested after the attack in the Hartcliffe area of south Bristol on Wednesday on suspicion of offences including having a prohibited breed of dog. The dog was later destroyed, police said.

Avon and Somerset police said: “At 7.19pm we received a report from the ambulance service of the incident, which took place inside a flat in Cobhorn Drive.

“Officers attended alongside the ambulance service but despite their efforts the 19-year-old victim tragically died at the scene. Her family have been informed and our thoughts are with them. They are being supported by a specially trained officer.

“Two people, a man and a woman both aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, and possession of a prohibited breed of dog. They remain in police custody.”

Insp Terry Murphy said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident. They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer.

“A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.”

A police spokesperson added later: “[The dog] was sedated and taken away and it has been put down on the grounds of public safety. It was not done at the scene.”

A neighbour said the woman who died had lived in the property for only a few weeks and “seemed a lovely girl”.

The neighbour said she had seen the dog on a lead with a woman. “She did mention the dog wasn’t great with men, fine with women and children,” she added.

Another neighbour said she saw a person emerge from the flat “covered in blood”.

The neighbour said: “We were inside. We heard a lot of hysterical screaming, came out to see a lady covered in blood, then the police within seconds were here. For hours on end, the police kept going in and out of the flat.”

Flowers had been left at the scene.

Police declined to comment on whether the woman who died lived at the address where the incident happened, or if there had been previous police contact with the household.