A man in his 50s has suffered serious burns in a fire in New Malden this morning.

The victim has been named locally as Colin Edwards. 

Kingston Road was closed between the High Street and Springfield Place by the fire, which emergency services were called to at about 4.30am this morning.

The whole of Kingston Road was closed from the demolished Peel pub to the railway underpass.

The Metropolitan Police helicopter was called into action to search for the injured man.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a fire at Clear House, New Malden. A man believed to be in his 50s was taken to hospital with burns.

"Another man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. We await the results of London Fire Brigade's investigation."

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The victim is understood to have suffered severe burns and been taken to hospital.

Sergeant Carpenter, from Kingston police, said: "We don't know whether the incident is suspicious yet. A man has been transferred to the special burns unit in Chelmsford, Essex.

"We have to determine whether this was an accident or not. Forensics have arrived on scene and diversions will be in place until they have finished."

Alex Kelly-Lord who works nearby and took these pictures said this morning the victim was a 'tramp' who had been living in Charlton House for the past year, although this has not been confirmed by police.

Witnesses also said they had seen burnt clothing in the road. 

From August 2013: Squatters evicted from New Malden NHS building move to nearest empty office block in Kingston Road

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