14/10/2015

Murder Investigation Launched After Body Found In Barnet

A murder investigation has been launched after a man's body was found following a fire in Barnet.

Police were called to reports of a fire at a ground floor flat in Finch Close, Barnet just before 6am on Monday, 12 October.

Officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended and found an unresponsive man trapped inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 06:51hrs.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but police have named the man as 55-year-old David McKenna.

Police said that a post-mortem revealed the cause of death as head injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "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.

"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."

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0100 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(MH/CD)

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