Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire on St Mary's Lane in Upminster.
The roof and the first floor of a detached house were destroyed by fire and half of the ground floor of the building was also damaged by the blaze. Sadly, one man died at the scene.
The Brigade was called at 0635 and the fire was under control by 0812. Fire crews from Hornchurch, Dagenham, Romford, Barking and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.