Darrell Michael Wright died after inhaling smoke during a blaze which spread through the ground floor and first floor of his home address in Belgrave Avenue.
He was publicly identified as the victim on Monday, June 23, as an inquest was formally opened into his death.
Mr Wright’s death was referred to East London Coroner’s Court by the Metropolitan Police Service.
Coroner’s officer Jean Smyth told the court police had been called to the scene by London Fire Brigade in the early hours of April 30.
They arrived to find Mr Wright on the ground as firefighters and paramedics tried in vain to save his life.
Police later decided the fire was non-suspicious, so handed the case over to the coroner’s service, whose role is to investigate unnatural deaths and whether future similar deaths might be prevented.
A subsequent post-mortem examination had given his causes of death as severe coronary artery atheroscletoric disease (a build-up of plaque in the arteries, restricting blood flow) and smoke inhalation.
“I’m satisfied on those facts this death occurred in circumstances requiring an inquest,” said coroner Nadia Persaud.
“The inquest will be opened and adjourned for further investigations to take place.”
She declared Mr Wright’s family “interested persons” – a legal status entitling them to view evidence ahead of the final inquest and question any witnesses called to testify.
She ordered that records and statements be provided by the fire service, police, ambulance service, Mr Wright’s GP and his family.
The final inquest was set for December.
The London Fire Brigade said on April 30 that it was called at 4.40am and dispatched around 30 firefighters from Harold Hill, Romford, Hornchurch and Dagenham fire stations.
“One man was rescued from the first floor via an internal staircase by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus,” it said.
“He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“A woman left the property before firefighters arrived and she was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. A man at a neighbouring property was also treated for smoke inhalation.”
