POLICE have launched a murder investigation after finding a dead man in a house fire in Putney.
Officers and London Fire Brigade discovered the body when they were called to a blaze at his home in Holroyd Road at about 5am on Friday.
Metropolitan Police said a post-mortem showed Adriano Bussandri, 51, had died of smoke inhalation and that he had suffered multiple injuries to his head and body, possibly inflicted by a sharp object.
Next of kin have been informed.
An incident room has opened at Lewisham under Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor.
DCI Taylor said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of Holroyd Road at the time of the fire and might have seen anything suspicious to contact police.
"We also need to hear from anyone who knew Mr. Bussandri and had any recent contact with him.
"It is now apparent that Mr. Bussandri had been subjected to a violent assault prior to the fire. If you have any information, please come forward and speak to my officers."
There have been no arrests so far.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020-8721 4868; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.