A former Scotland Yard counter-terrorism officer feared to have killed himself has separated from his partner’s business and been spoken to by police over a ‘domestic incident’.
Malcolm Baker, 60, died after a fire tore through his home in Brompton Regis, within Exmoor National Park, at around 6pm on September 14.
His pig farming partner Francesca Onodi was not on the property at the time of the devastating fire.
MailOnline discovered that Mr Baker stood down from two businesses he ran with her in May this year.
It has been shown that he was terminated as a director of farming firm Exmoor Smallholdings and Exmoor Charcuterie.
He has also been spoken to by Avon and Somerset Police regarding an alleged “domestic incident” at the property.
The force has referred this prior contact to the Independent Police Conduct Office for a potential investigation.
Mr Baker enjoyed a distinguished career in the police and investigated the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the 7/7 London bombings.
Malcolm Baker (pictured) died after a fire tore through his home in Exmoor National Park at around 6pm on September 14
Mr Baker’s home, Hiccombe House, in Brompton Regis, west Somerset, which was destroyed in the fire
The flames caused an explosion that could be heard from a mile away and blew the roof off the property, reports The Sun.
Human remains were subsequently found in the ruins of the house after a search led by specialists.
DNA tests are ongoing to confirm that the victim is Mr Baker.
Neighbors are said to believe a gas cylinder was opened deliberately and initially feared he was the target of a terrorist attack.
A police spokesman told MailOnline: ‘Searches carried out following a house fire in Brompton Regis, Exmoor, on September 14 led to the discovery of human remains.
“We believe these remains to be one of the occupants of the house, a man in his sixties, and are making inquiries on behalf of the coroner to assist with the formal identification process.” A family liaison officer has updated the man’s next of kin and we will continue to keep them updated.
Mr Baker was also part of the team that investigated the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko (pictured) in 2006.
The wreckage of a number 30 double decker bus is pictured in Tavistock Square in central London after 7/7
“We can confirm that we are investigating this incident as a crime of arson with intent to endanger life, but at this stage we do not believe there was any third party involvement and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with our enquiries.
“Avon and Somerset Police previously made a mandatory referral to the Independent Police Conduct Office due to previous contact with the police.”
The IOPC said: “We can confirm that we have received a referral from Avon and Somerset Police of a previous police contact relating to occupants of an address in Brompton Regis where a serious fire occurred on September 14.
“We are currently assessing the referral to decide whether an investigation by the IOPC is necessary.”
Up to 30 police officers have been thoroughly searching the property for evidence since the blast, with locals recalling a loud blast and plumes of smoke rising into the air.
Whittle Fox, 60, told The Sun: “There’s no gas in this cottage so it wasn’t an accident. Because of his background, there has been much speculation as to what may have happened.
“He was missing after the explosion and there were concerns that the Russians might be behind it. There were fears that he might have been kidnapped or killed to send a message to the government.
Mr. Baker has worked on a number of high-profile cases, including assisting U.S. officials in the investigation of the September 11, 2001, atrocities.
He was also part of the team that investigated the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko in 2006. European judges last year ruled that the Russian state was responsible for his murder.
Mr Baker also investigated the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, which killed 56 people.
Before retiring from the police service, he also had a security role at the 2012 London Olympics.
He is believed to have worked as a security consultant before his death after moving to the area from London with his partner.
Avon and Somerset Police say they have referred his death to the Independent Policing Conduct Office due to previous domestic contact.
It comes as another resident told the neighbor that Mr Baker was “not a nice guy”, adding that he was “nasty and a bully and had fallen out with a few local people”.