Police were called at 05:56hrs on Monday, 12 October, to reports of a fire at a ground floor flat in Finch Close, Barnet.
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.
No one else was injured by the fire.
Whilst formal identification awaits, officers are satisfied that the man is 55-year-old David McKenna (21.12.59).
Next of kin have been informed.
A post-mortem examination held at Northwick Park Hospital Mortuary today, Tuesday, 13 October, gave the cause of death as head injuries.
An incident room has opened under Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command.
DCI Andy Chalmers, 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 enquires continue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0100 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
