HUMAN remains have been found by police forensics officers searching the scene of a devastating fire which destroyed a house just outside Brompton Regis.

DNA testing was being carried out this week to determine if the remains were those of Malcolm Baker, aged 60, who has been missing since the incident on September 14.

Mr Baker was a superintendent with the Metropolitan Police, where he was a high-ranking counter-terrorism expert, until his retirement in 2011, following which he worked as a security advisor for businesses and governments around the world.

He is believed to have set light to his isolated home, Hiccombe House, and died in the ensuing blaze while his long-term partner Francesca Onody, aged 50, was away from the property.

Avon and Somerset Police, which is investigating the incident and the circumstances around it, has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to what it described as ‘prior police contact’ with the family.

Police have not commented on the nature of the ‘contact’ despite rumours circulating in the village, nor have they yet officially named Mr Baker.

A police spokesman confirmed this week: “Searches carried out have resulted in human remains being found. We believe these remains are those of one of the occupants of the house, a man in his 60s, and we are carrying out inquiries on behalf of the coroner’s office to assist with the formal identification process. A family liaison officer has updated the man’s next of kin and we will continue to keep them updated.

“We can confirm we are investigating this incident as an offence of arson with intent to endanger life, but at this stage we do not believe there is any third party involvement and we are not seeking anybody else in connection with our inquiries.”

The IOPC has been asked for comment on any investigation as a result of the constabulary’s self-referral but had not responded as the Free Press went to print.