Woman found dead after London house fire suffered assault, police say

Detectives launch probe after 73-year-old thought to have been killed inside her Teddington home

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An elderly woman found dead after a house fire in southwest London appears to have been assaulted prior to the blaze, police said.

Scotland Yard has launched an investigation following the incident, which took place at around 1am on Wednesday morning at a home in Teddington.

The victim, a 73-year-old woman, was discovered inside the property by London Fire Brigade crews wearing breathing apparatus.

Although formal identification is yet to take place, authorities are confident the woman is Carole Harrison, who lived at the address.

A post-mortem examination was held at Kingston Mortuary on Thursday, which was unable to establish a cause of death.

However, police said the victim had sustained injuries consistent with an assault.

“At this stage we are appealing to anyone who saw the Mrs Harrison on the day leading up to the fire,” said DCI Richard Leonard of the Met's major crime and homicide command. In particular we want to hear from anyone who may have seen her out and about and most particularly if she had anyone with her. Anyone with information should call police immediately.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.