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Arson investigation launched after boy dies in London house fire Murder investigation launched after boy dies in London house fire
(about 2 hours later)
The Metropolitan police have begun an arson investigation after a seven-year-old boy died in a house fire in south-east London. The Metropolitan police have begun a murder investigation after a seven-year-old boy died in a house fire in south-east London.
Six fire engines and about 35 firefighters were called to the fire on Adolphus Street, Deptford, in the early hours of Tuesday. The boy, Joel Uhrie, was found dead inside the property. Six fire engines and about 35 firefighters were called to Deptford in the early hours of Tuesday. The boy, Joel Uhrie, was found dead inside the property.
Two women with non-life-threatening injuries were taken by ambulance to Lewisham hospital after jumping from a first-floor window. Two women with non life-threatening injuries were taken by ambulance to Lewisham hospital after jumping from a first-floor window.
Joel’s father, John Uhrie, who moved out of the family home five years ago, told reporters at the scene: “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.Joel’s father, John Uhrie, who moved out of the family home five years ago, told reporters at the scene: “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.
“He was a very lovely boy who was just loving life and it’s a terrible loss.” “He was a very lovely boy who was just loving life, and it’s a terrible loss.”
He said he would never be able to forget the pain of losing his son, who was a keen footballer. “He played with everyone around here,” Uhrie said. “It’s a situation I can’t really talk about right now.” Uhrie said he would never be able to forget the pain of losing his son, who was a keen footballer. “He played with everyone around here,” he said. “It’s a situation I can’t really talk about right now.”
His aunt, Ruth Uhrie, said Joel was “full of life. When I heard the news I dropped my bag and ran straight to the hospital. The others are lucky to be alive.” The boy’s aunt, Ruth Uhrie, said Joel was “full of life”.
The Met said: “Police are working with fire investigators and have deemed the fire as suspicious. At this early stage there have been no arrests. Inquiries continue.” “When I heard the news, I dropped my bag and ran straight to the hospital. The others are lucky to be alive,” she said.
Det Supt Jane Corrigan, of Lewisham police, said: “At this early stage there are a number of possible lines of inquiry; however, officers retain an open mind with regard to motive.” Detectives from the Met’s homicide and major crime command are taking over the criminal inquiry after examinations at the scene showed the fire was started deliberately.
Det Supt Jane Corrigan said: “An innocent seven-year-old boy has lost his life in what should have been the safest place for him – his home.”
Police do not know the motive for the attack, she added, but they did not believe Joel could have been the target.
Family friends said the boy’s mother worked as a nurse.
Emergency services were called at 3.25am and the blaze was brought under control just before 5am. Surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution.Emergency services were called at 3.25am and the blaze was brought under control just before 5am. Surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution.
“Firefighters arrived to find a very severe fire inside the house,” London fire brigade said. “The ground floor was badly damaged by the blaze, as well as the whole of the first floor and the stairs from the ground to the first floor. The London fire brigade said: “Firefighters arrived to find a very severe fire inside the house. The ground floor was badly damaged by the blaze, as well as the whole of the first floor and the stairs from the ground to the first floor.
“Two women jumped from first-floor level shortly before the first firefighters arrived at scene. They were both treated at the scene by firefighters and London ambulance service crews. Sadly, a seven-year-old boy was found deceased by firefighters inside the property.” “Two women jumped from the first-floor level shortly before the first firefighters arrived at the scene. They were both treated at the scene by firefighters and London ambulance service crews.”
Neighbours described hearing screams from inside the house. “I was initially woken by the screams of the neighbour,” said Andre Pavanello, a student who lives next door. “I first thought it might have been an attack so I instantly looked out my window and I saw a little bit of fire so I thought it was just a small house fire. Neighbours described hearing screams from inside the house. “I was initially woken by the screams of the neighbour,” said Andre Pavanello, a student who lives next door. “I first thought it might have been an attack, so I instantly looked out my window and I saw a little bit of fire, so I thought it was just a small house fire.
“I knocked on all my housemates’ doors and told them to come out. I ran downstairs and opened the front door and within that time the whole front of the house was engulfed in flames. I had to shut the door straight away otherwise it would have come into our house. “I knocked on all my housemates’ doors and told them to come out. I ran downstairs and opened the front door and within that time, the whole front of the house was engulfed in flames. I had to shut the door straight away otherwise it would have come into our house.
“The fire brigade acted really fast but I was told that the youngest son – the seven-year-old – was still up in the flames and no one could get to him.” “The fire brigade acted really fast, but I was told that the youngest son – the seven-year-old – was still up in the flames and no one could get to him.”
Elyzabeth Oksanya, who lives in a block of flats opposite the end-of-terrace house, said she knew the family well. “He’s in the same class as my son,” she said. “This is terrible.”Elyzabeth Oksanya, who lives in a block of flats opposite the end-of-terrace house, said she knew the family well. “He’s in the same class as my son,” she said. “This is terrible.”
She fell to the floor and fought back tears as reporters told her the news. “She (the mother) is a close family friend. We see each other every day.” She fell to the floor and fought back tears as reporters told her the news. “She [the mother] is a close family friend. We see each other every day,” Oksanya said.
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