Two teenagers have been arrested after a man was found dead in a derelict house fire on Monday.

Police said a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were arrested on suspicion of arson and manslaughter this morning.

About 35 firefighters were called to the blaze at The Waldrons, near Davenant Road at 2.45pm.

Officers said they faced challenging conditions in the house and finally brought the fire under control at 5.50pm.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus searched the basement and found a man but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said they believe the man is a Polish national but he has yet to be formally identified and the cause of the fire has yet to be explained.

The homicide and serious crime command are investigating the incident after police confirmed the death was being treated as suspicious on Friday.

The fire brigade was called at 7pm on Sunday evening to the building, which is owned and was once used by Croydon Sea Cadets, to put out a small fire in the house.

A spokesman said there was no suggestion the two fires are connected.

In 2011 the house was badly damaged by fire on New Year’s Eve which saw the roof collapse.