Mystery over death of ex-Scotland Yard terror cop involved in Litvinenko poisoning ‘who may have killed himself by setting off a gas explosion at thatched cottage home’
- Malcolm Baker, 60, died after a fire tore through home in Exmoor National Park
- The blaze led to a large explosion which could be heard from a mile away
- Human remains were subsequently found inside the ruins of the property
- Up to 30 officers have been meticulously combing the house for evidence
An ex-Scotland Yard counter-terror cop who probed the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the London 7/7 bomb attack reportedly may have killed himself by setting off a gas explosion at his thatched cottage home.
Malcolm Baker, 60, died after a fire tore through his home in Brompton Regis, within Exmoor National Park, at around 6pm on September 14.
The blaze led to an explosion, which could be heard from a mile away and took the roof off the property, The Sun reports.
Human remains were subsequently found inside the ruins of the house following a search led by specialists.
DNA tests are ongoing to confirm the victim is Mr Baker.
Neighbours are said to believe a gas bottle was deliberately opened and initially feared that he had been subject to a terror attack, but he is understood to have taken his own life due to domestic problems.
Malcolm Baker (pictured) died after a fire tore through his home in Exmoor National Park at around 6pm on September 14
Mr Baker was also part of the team that probed the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko (pictured) in 2006
A police spokesperson said: ‘At this stage we don’t believe there is any third-party involvement and we are not seeking anyone else in connection with our inquiries.’
Up to 30 officers have been meticulously combing the property for evidence following the explosion, with local residents recalling a loud bang and plumes of smoke rising into the air.
Withiel Fox, 60, told The Sun: ‘There is no gas supply to that cottage so it didn’t happen by accident. Because of his background there was a lot of speculation about what might have happened.
‘He was unaccounted for after the explosion and there were concerns it could have been the Russians behind it. There were worries they might have kidnapped or killed him to send a message to the Government.’
Mr Baker worked on a number of high-profile cases including aiding US officials with an investigation into the 9/11 atrocity in 2001.
Mr Baker’s home, Hiccombe House, in Brompton Regis, west Somerset, which was destroyed in the fire
He was also part of the team that probed the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko in 2006. European judges last year ruled that the Russian state was responsible for his murder.
Mr Baker also investigated the 7/7 bombing attacks in London in 2005, which 56 people.
Prior to his retirement from policing, he also had a security role for the London Olympics in 2012.
He is understood to have been working as a security consultant prior to his death after moving to the area from London with his partner.
Avon and Somerset Police says it has referred his death to the Independent Office for Police Misconduct due to prior contact of a domestic nature.
It comes as another resident told the neighbour that Mr Baker was ‘not a pleasant man’, adding that he was ‘obnoxious and a bully and had fallen out with several local people’.
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