Six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a house in Downland Close, Coulsdon.
Sadly one man was confirmed dead at the scene. Most of the first floor and around half the ground floor plus a section of the roof were damaged by fire.
The Brigade was called at 0657 and the fire was under control at 0832. Fire crews from Purley, Wallington, Croydon, and Mitcham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.