An elderly man has died after two floors of a semi-detached house were gutted by flames in South London. The fire ripped through the home on Coulsdon Road in Croydon, which is adjacent to the gates of Keston Primary School, just before 2am on Sunday (May 25), killing a 77-year-old man who was rescued from a staircase but sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
At this stage it is not known how the fire in Old Coulsdon started. Police say ‘enquiries are ongoing’ as to the cause and no arrests have been made. The London Fire Brigade say the fire was under control by around 3am.
Photos taken this morning show burn marks outside the top floor window, with charred furnishings piled at the front door. The house remained taped off while investigators could be seen trying to find out how it started. Fire officers wore gas masks and blue overalls as they took readings from inside the property.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Officers and London Fire Brigade were called to reports of a property fire on Coulsdon Road, Croydon at 1:50am on Sunday, May 25. A 77-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made.
“Enquiries are ongoing as to the circumstances around the start of fire. If you have any information, please call police on 101 with the reference 714/25MAY.”
An LFB spokesperson said: “Sadly, a man has died following a house fire on Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon. Half of the ground and first floors of a semi-detached house were damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued one man from the first floor using an internal staircase. Sadly, the man died at the scene.
“Control Officers took the first call to the fire at 0138 and mobilised crews from Purley, Wallington and Croydon fire stations to the incident. The fire was under control by 0303. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
The London Ambulance Service have been approached for comment.
You can follow our live blog below for the latest updates.
