Two arrested over Xmas Day house fire that killed man, 60

Updated

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fire at a house killed a 60-year-old man on Christmas Day.

The 27-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were taken to a London police station for questioning following the blaze in Field Road, Forest Gate, in east London, at around 4.50am on Friday.

Officers found the body of the victim inside the house and a post-mortem examination concluded he died of burns and the inhalation of fumes from the fire, Scotland Yard said.

Police believe they know who the man is but formal identification has not been confirmed, while detectives believe the fire was started deliberately.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McCabe of the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "We need to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in Field Road and the surrounding area in the early hours of Christmas Day."

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