Murder investigation launched following 'suspicious' house fire that killed young boy

A murder investigation has been launched after a seven-year-old boy was killed in a deliberate arson attack on his family's house.

Joel Urhie was found dead after the blaze in Deptford, south-east London, while his mother, Sophie, and 19-year-old sister escaped by jumping out of a first floor window.

There are currently no suspects, a motive has not yet been established and investigators are appealing for witnesses, Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan said in a press conference.

Appealing for information, she added: "An innocent seven-year-old boy has lost his life in what should have been the safest place for him, his home.

"We're treating this as a murder investigation."

Joel's mother and sister are being treated in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The boy's father, John Uhrie, told reporters at the scene: "Its terrible, the pain we cannot forget."

He said Joel's mother Sophie Urhie is recovering in hospital with their 19-year-old daughter, Sarah, and son Sam, 21.

Six fire engines and around 35 firefighters tackled the blaze at a house on Adolphus Street after they were called at 3.25am on Monday.

Speaking at the scene, Mr Urhie told how he received a call from Joel's mother Sophie at 4am, telling him there was a fire.

He said: "When I came, the first thing I saw was my daughter inside the ambulance.

"They said, 'Joel's dead', and there's nothing I can do about it."

While it is thought the fire was started deliberately, police do not believe Joel was the intended target.

"It is difficult to imagine a seven-year-old is the motive for the attack, especially at 3am," Detective Superintendent Corrigan said.

Neighbour and close family friend Grace Gbenedio, 56, described the moment she found Joel's mother crying on the floor outside after rushing toward the sound of screaming.

She said: "I held her and said 'Where is he?' She said 'He's still in there'.

"The fire was just too much, like a curtain, no-one could go in or out.

Ms Gbenedio added: "We heard the last blast of the glass and she just collapsed."

Next-door neighbour Andre Pavanello, 21, said he heard "really, really loud screaming".

"As I came out here I heard screaming and the front of the window smashed," he added.

Neighbours told of their shock at the boy's death as investigators worked inside the fire-ravaged house behind a police cordon.

"I saw him last on Friday. It was my birthday so we had a barbecue," said Wale Arthur, 39. "He was a very happy lad."

A family friend, who asked not to be named, described him as a "very quiet boy".

"I saw him on Sunday. He came to my house and we took him to church," she said.

LFB said the fire inside the house was “very severe”.

The ground and first floors were badly damaged along with the stairs between them.

Crews brought the fire under control by just before 4.50am.

Scotland Yard are treating the blaze as suspicious and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The family friend said the boy lived in the house with his mother, a nurse, and his sister.

Describing the mother, she said: "She's just an angel. She would come to anyone's aid.

"Everybody living on this street would know her. She's that type of person.

"She's very caring, she's selfless. This should not be happening."

Anyone with information has been asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.