Woman held as baby burns to death

An investigation is under way after a three-week-old boy died from serious burns.

A 39-year-old woman has been arrested and sectioned under the Mental Health Act, following the child's death at a house in Nunhead, south-east London.

Police denied reports the baby was found inside an oven, saying the boy was discovered in another room.

But a spokesman said they will be investigating the possibility he suffered the 90% burns in the oven.

Police were called by the ambulance service to the house in Grimwade Close at 0345 BST on Thursday.

We are pursuing all lines of inquiry to discover how this happened, which includes the possibility that he was put inside the oven Metropolitan Police spokesman

The baby was taken to King's College Hospital where he died about nine hours later.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "This was a tragic and traumatic incident and a family liaison officer has been appointed to the family."

He added: "The baby was not found in the oven.

"Of course, there are a number ways the child could have suffered the burns and we are pursuing all lines of inquiry to discover how this happened, which includes the possibility that he was put inside the oven."

A post-mortem examination was carried out at Great Ormond Street mortuary on Thursday.

The child's next of kin has yet to be informed.

Detective Chief Inspector David Marshall of the child protection command is heading the inquiry.