A third man has died following a huge house fire in Croydon which is under investigation by police and London Fire Brigade.

Emergency services were called to a house in Sanderstead Road on Friday, December 29 shortly before 11pm.

Two men were pronounced dead at the scene, one of whom police now believe to be aged in his 40s.

A third man, believed to be aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he died yesterday afternoon (Saturday, December 30).

Police are working to identify the three men and inform their families.

A fourth and fifth man later self-presented at hospital. One of the men, aged in his 30s, remains in a life-threatening condition.

The fifth man has been discharged from hospital.

Chief Inspector Imran Asghar of the South Area BCU said: “This is an extremely sad incident, which has led to the deaths of three men, while a fourth man remains in hospital in a critical condition.

“My colleagues have made significant progress towards confirming the identities of the men and providing support to their families.

“This process is ongoing. At this stage, I understand that the three men who have died were Polish nationals, as are the other two men who attended hospital.

“Enquiries by specialist police and fire investigators are under way to establish the cause of the fire. Anyone with information that may assist is asked to call police on 101, ref 7129/29DEC23.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police officers and London Fire Brigade colleagues are investigating a house fire in Croydon.

“Officer were called by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at 22:48hrs on Friday, 29 December to the fire at a house in Sanderstead Road, South Croydon. Emergency services attended the location.

“Sadly, two men were pronounced dead at the scene, one of whom is believed to be aged in his 40s.

“A third man, believed to be aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he died on the afternoon of Saturday, 30 December.

“Officers are working to confirm the identity of the three men and inform their family.

“A fourth and fifth man later self-presented at hospital. One of the men, aged in his 30s, remains in a life-threatening condition. The fifth man has been discharged from hospital.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police.

“The Met’s enquiries are led by detectives from the Met’s South Area CID.”

A spokesperson for London Fire brigade said: “Sadly two people have died following a house fire on Sanderstead Road in South Croydon overnight (December 29). 

“Most of the ground floor of a two-storey end-of-terraced house was damaged by fire. Three people were rescued from the house by firefighters and treated by London Ambulance Service crews.

“Sadly, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. One person was taken to hospital and a further two people self-presented at hospital later.

“The Brigade was called at 2239 and the fire was brought under control by 0016.

“Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Croydon, Purley, Woodside, Norbury and Wallington fire stations attended the scene

“The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and Metropolitan Police.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “On Friday 29 December at 10.45pm we were called to reports of a fire on Sanderstead Road, Croydon.

“We sent a number of resources to the incident, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer, and members of our Hazardous Area Response team.

“We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our medics and emergency services partners, two people died at the scene.

“One person was conveyed to a major trauma centre as a priority.”