Detectives name victim in Dagenham fatal fire

Detectives investigating a fatal fire in Dagenham, which is being treated as a murder, have named the victim.

Robert Price, 76, sadly died following a fire at a residential property in Oval Road North, Dagenham, on Saturday, 27 July.

Officers, the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade attended the fire shortly after 17:40hrs.

After firefighters forced entry to a property, Robert’s body was found and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination held on Monday, 29 July gave the cause of death as inhalation of fire fumes and burns.

Robert’s family have been informed and they are being supported by specialist officers. They have asked for privacy at this difficult time.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but is being treated as suspicious.

A 17-year-old boy [B] was charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life on Tuesday, 30 July.

He appeared in custody at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 31 July. He was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 2 August.

Police continue to appeal for witnesses and information in relation to this incident.

If you were in the area of Oval Road North between 17:00hrs-18:00hrs on Saturday, 27 July and saw the incident or the events surrounding the incident then please get in touch. Any drivers who were passing through the area around that time and may have captured anything on dash cam are also urged to contact police.

If you have information that could assist then please contact officers on 101 or message @MetCC on X and quote CAD5619/27Jul. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you have footage to upload, you can do that here.

= Another male, [A] who was arrested in connection with the investigation, was later released on bail pending further enquiries.