A 29-year-old lodger who died in a suspicious house fire in east London last Monday was an Indian national who was working in Fulham.

Sunil Koosuru, who died along with an 80-year-old man called Ram Bhasin in the fierce fire which destroyed a two-storey maisonette in Chapman Street, Shadwell, had been working for an internet hosting company for just under a year.

Patrick McCarthy, managing director at Virtual Internet UK, paid tribute to Mr Koosuru today as a “very good” sales executive.

He said: “This has been shocking news for everyone to hear about this.

“We have been in contact with his family and we are doing everything we can to support them.”

Aaron Bhasin, 52, believed by police to be the son of Mr Bhasin, was charged with two counts of murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life last Wednesday.

The two men died of smoke inhalation according to a post-mortem examination.

The Times of India has reported that Mr Koosuru was from Hyderabad and that he had only moved to the Chapman Street residence a day before the fire.

They have also reported that his parents live in Amberpet.

The police were unable to confirm today how long Mr Koosuru had lived in Chapman Street or in the UK.

The incident is being investigated by the Homicide and Serious Crime Command under DCI Stephen Clayman.