A murder investigation has been launched after a man died in a fire on Christmas morning.
The man, thought to be in his 60s, died after flames ripped through a house in east London on Christmas Day.
His body was found on the ground floor after firefighters with oxygen masks entered the house in Field Road, Forest Gate.
Four other people managed to escape the inferno – which erupted shortly before 4.45am – before the London Fire Brigade arrived.
Police are now treating the fire as a suspected arson attack and have launched a murder investigation.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The death is being treated as suspicious and a murder investigation has been launched under Detective Chief Inspector Steve McCabe of the Homicide and Major Crime Command.
“Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and detectives await a post-mortem examination; however at this stage officers believe the fire was started deliberately.”
DCI McCabe appealed for help from the public, saying: “I need to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in Field Road and the surrounding area in the early hours of Christmas Day.”
Police say they know the victim’s identity and are working to inform all of his relatives.
No arrests have been made.
LFB said the two-storey property was left badly damaged by the fire.
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
