Police have launched a murder investigation after a man died in a fire that engulfed a flat in north London. David McKenna, 55, was trapped in the burning ground-floor flat in Finch Close, Barnet, in the early hours of Monday.
Firefighters pulled Mr McKenna's body from the property, and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.51am. No one else was injured in the blaze, which the London Fire Brigade prevented from spreading to neighbouring homes.
Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are leading the investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers appealed for witnesses, saying: 'I would like to speak with anyone who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Finch Close or near to the flats on Sunday night or Monday morning.'
Chalmers added: 'Not only was Mr McKenna pronounced dead at the scene, but this fire put a number of other people's lives at risk. Thankfully, due to the actions of the London Fire Brigade, the blaze did not spread to other homes. Had it done so, we could be investigating more deaths. We retain an open mind as to the possible motive for the murder.'
Mr McKenna's family have been informed. No arrests have been made. A post-mortem examination is due to take place at Northwick Park Hospital Mortuary today.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0100 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
