Sister's heartfelt tribute to Joel Urhie, 7, who died in Deptford arson attack

Sarah was released from hospital and posted an image of her with her brother on Twitter last night, writing: “Rest in perfect peace my amazing little brother Joel"

The sister of seven-year-old Joel Urhie, who was killed in an arson attack on his family home , has paid a heartfelt tribute to her “amazing little brother”.

Joel was found dead after the blaze in Deptford, while his mother Sophie and sister Sarah, 19, escaped by leaping 15 feet from a first-floor window.

Sarah was released from hospital and posted an image of her with her brother on Twitter last night, writing: “Rest in perfect peace my amazing little brother Joel, nothing makes sense right now, I love you.”

Another image said: “Rest in paradise, I love you forever little bro.”

Police said Joel’s mother, a nurse, was still being treated in hospital for injuries caused by the jump.

Joel was found dead after the blaze in Deptford
PA

Detectives say they are keeping an open mind about the motive for the arson attack but are pursuing the possibility it was gang-related amid reports Joel’s brother Sam, 21, may have been the target.

Today there were reports that he had allegedly been stabbed after his release from prison three months ago and had been taken in by his mother. He is not thought to have been living at the house at the time of the fire.

Police and forensics officers at the scene of the house fire in Deptford
PA

His aunt Ruth Urhie, 53, told the Mail: “They came to the house and stabbed him so he ran from the house.

“He was too scared to go back there.” Friends say that when Sam was told of his brother’s death he shouted: “Oh, why not me?” Detectives investigating the fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning are examining CCTV footage taken from a home opposite which could help identify those who started the blaze.

Neighbours described hearing a man yelling in the road shortly before the fire began.

Peter Hill, 69, who lives on the fourth floor of nearby flats, said: “I heard a grown-up male, shouting his head off. He seemed aggrieved, p***ed off.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Wrigley, who is leading the murder hunt, said: “This horrific incident has left a family shattered and the tragic loss of such a young life in suspicious circumstances resonates throughout the community in Deptford.

“Our sympathies are with Joel’s family and friends at this tragic time as they struggle to come to terms with their loss.

“I would directly appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious at around 3.30am, or who has any information about who was responsible for starting the fire that claimed the life of an innocent child, to contact police immediately.”

A post-mortem examination found the cause of Joel’s death was “consistent with fire and smoke inhalation”.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 0208 345 3715 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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