Murder investigation launched after 7 year old found dead

THE Met Police stated that the death of a seven-year-old boy killed in a house fire is being treated as murder.

Joel Urhie was found after a “very severe fire” at his home in Adolphus Street, Deptford, south-east London, in the early hours.

Joel’s mother Sophie and sister Sarah managed to escape. The father of the 7 year old John said: “It’s terrible, the pain we cannot forget.”

Det Supt Jane Corrigan said the fire was believed to be arson but Joel was unlikely to be the target.

Detectives investigating an arson attack that killed a seven-year-old boy in his bedroom are looking at local gang activity as a line of inquiry, it has emerged.

“It is difficult to imagine a seven-year-old is the motive for the attack, he has lost his life in what should have been the safest place for him, his home,” she asserted.

“We believe that the fire was started deliberately but at this stage I am unable to go into any further detail due to operational reasons” she added.

The Met Police proclaimed that there are no suspect at the moment.

The family of 7 year old said that Joel always dreamed of becoming a fireighter.

Speaking outside the house, Mr Urhie described Joel as “a very lovely boy who was just loving life”.

The 54-year-old said he moved out of the family home about five years ago but had been called at about 04:00 BST to say there had been a fire.