Man dies in house fire near Basingstoke after threatening police with axe
A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who will conduct a further investigation
Last updated 2nd Jun 2025
Officers are carrying out enquiries after a man died in a house fire in Basingstoke.
Police were called at 7.10pm on Saturday (31 May) following reports of a concern for the welfare of a man at an address on Chalk Vale.
Over the course of a number of hours, officers spoke to the man to bring him outside the house.
Threats were made to officers and property, including threatening officers with an axe.
After several hours, a fire began within the house and additional emergency services attended.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a 29-year-old man was declared deceased at the scene.
His family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
The house was significantly damaged by the fire, but nobody else was inside the address at the time and there were no further casualties.
Officers evacuated a number of homes during the course of the incident. A total of two further homes were damaged and will be assessed.
Police are working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to carry out enquiries at the scene.
A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who will conduct a further investigation.