An elderly man has died after a blaze tore through a semi-detached house in south London.
The property in Couldson Road in Croydon, near the entrance of Keston Primary School, became engulfed in flames shortly before 2am on Sunday, May 25.
A 77-year-old man was found by emergency services trapped on a staircase and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the fire is unknown at present, with police enquiries "ongoing" and no arrests made as of yet. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within an hour.
Images show the top floor has suffered severe fire damage, with furnishings piled at the front door. Forensic examiners are continuing to assess the scene, which is currently taped off.
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 London Fire Brigade spokesperson added: "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."
