Ex-UK counter-terror chief ‘may have killed himself in blast at his home’

The former counter-terror chief ‘killed himself’ in a fire and blast at his home (Picture: Google Maps / Trident)

A former counter-terror officer is thought to have taken his own life in an explosion at his home.

Ex-Scotland Yard Superintendent Malcolm Baker, 60, died when the fire destroyed his thatched cottage in Exmoor National Park.

The explosion, which occurred around 6pm on September 14, took off the roof of the property, named Hiccome House.

Specialists found incinerated human remains. DNA tests are being carried out.

Neighbours feared the blaze was part of a terror attack, and claim a liquid propane gas bottle was intentionally left open to cause the trigger the explosion.

However, it is now believed the 60-year-old killed himself as a result of domestic problems.

Police 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.’

Mr Baker’s partner, Francesca Onody, was not at home at the time of the blast.

Ex-Scotland Yard Superintendent Malcolm Baker, 60, died when the fire destroyed his Exmoor National Park thatched cottage (Pictures: Google Maps / Trident)

The explosion took the roof off of the property, named Hiccome House, in west Somerset

Neighbours have said they have seen a team of up to 30 officers combing the area everyday since.

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 worried they might have kidnapped or killed him to send a message to the Government.’

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During his 30 year career, Mr Baker worked on the 9/11 attacks and the Alexander Litvineko poisonings, as well as the 2005 7/7 London bombings.

He retired from the force ten years ago, and moved from London to Somerset with his partner.

Avon and Somerset Police said they had referred his death to the Independent Office for Police Misconduct.

According to The Sun, they had previously made a visit to the house to investigate an incident of a domestic nature.

It comes as another resident told the neighbour that Mr Baker was ‘not a pleasant man’ who had ‘fallen out with several local people.’

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