Police have named the elderly man who died as a result of a blaze that ripped through his bungalow in Newport yesterday (Thursday) as 79-year-old Dennis Driscoll.
The death is still being treated as unexplained whilst officers work with Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Arson Task Force to find the cause of the fire.
Next-of-kin have been informed.
Earlier today a specialist Urban Search and Rescue team from Hampshire were deployed to the scene on Furrlongs, Pan in order to establish the structural stability of the fire-damaged building.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Heelan has this afternoon said:
“Our enquiries continue today and as a result the cordon at the scene remains in place.
“We are still keen to hear from anyone who has any information about what happened.
“In particular, we would like to speak to a man in a grey tracksuit who was seen in the area at around 5.30am that day, and a man who ran to Newport fire station to inform firefighters just as they were deploying to the incident.
Article continues below this advertisement “Both of these people could hold information that could help us establish the exact circumstances of what took place.”
Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to call Police on 101, quoting reference 44170127728 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
