'Arson attack' cops arrest second person over Streatham house fire that left 49-year-old man dead - as police quiz woman, 34, about inferno

A second person has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was killed in a suspected arson attack in south London.

The Met Police were called by the London Fire Brigade to a multi-occupancy house in Glenister Park Road, Streatham, shortly after 7pm on Sunday, following reports of a fire. Tragically 49-year-old man was found dead inside.

Detectives, who believe the fire was started deliberately, on Monday arrested a 34-year-old woman on suspicion of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Last night they arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of murder. Both remain in custody.

Officers and forensic teams have been pictured at the scene as they probe the shocking incident.

The man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by family liaison officers.

Neighbour Uzair Arshad, 31, who lives just a couple doors down from where the fire was, said there were 'flames everywhere'.

He explained: 'I heard a lot of shouting and screaming, so I rushed outside onto the street and I saw the house. There were flames everywhere. The fire was huge. People were coming out of their houses, there was lots of panic.

'But the fire brigade and police arrived within minutes.'

The civil servant, who only moved into his house a couple months ago, said: 'We've not been here long so I didn't know who lived there.

'But the landlord was here when the fire was happening.

'Originally, they thought no one was in the house.'

Mr Arshad said that hearing that the fire may have been started deliberately has unsettled him.

'It makes you think about your safety,' he said. 'I have a kid, so it's made me want to think of a plan in case anything goes wrong. It's a lot to hear.'

One couple, who also live just metres away from the fire, said the house where the tragedy occurred was known to be 'anti-social'.

The man and woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: 'It was an anti-social house.

'They had a lot of very loud parties, and there were always different people coming in and out.

Police have appealed for witnesses and said they are treating it as an isolated incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, leading the investigation, said the scene of the fire has undergone 'extensive' forensic examination.

'We are in the early stages of our investigation, and we are working quickly to piece together the events last night in Glenister Park Road that sadly resulted in a man losing his life,' she said.

'Detectives have spent the day gathering footage from nearby doorbell cameras and other CCTV. The scene of the fire has undergone extensive forensic examination to help us understand how the fire started.

'I would ask anyone in the area who saw any activity on Sunday evening around 6.45pm in Glenister Park Road, between Drakewood Road and Streatham Vale, or has information about the incident, to come forward immediately.

'We understand that such a tragic incident will cause concern among the wider community, however we believe that this is an isolated incident and we have arranged for additional patrols in the area over the coming days to help provide reassurance.'

A post-mortem examination has yet to take place.

Anyone with any information has been asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 5631/25Feb.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.