Police reveal Lewisham fire which killed 5 year old was started deliberately
Police have revealed that a fire in a Lewisham maisonette over the weekend which killed a five year old boy and seriously injured other family members was started deliberately.
Police were called by the London Fire Brigade at 5:56am on Saturday 6 March after the fire took hold at Russett Way on the Orchard Estate near Elverson Road DLR station.
According to police three people, a 34-year-old woman and two boys aged five and 14, sustained injuries and were taken to south London hospitals. The five year old boy died shortly before 8am.
Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith stated: “We’ve worked extensively at the scene with the London Fire Brigade following this awful incident and can now confirm that the fire inside the address is thought to have been started deliberately. Other than the three occupants, we don’t believe there were any other persons present inside the address, and are ruling out the involvement of a third party.
“Wider family have been informed and our specialist officers are supporting them as they come to terms with their loss.
“What I need now is for any members of the public who might have information that could assist our investigation to make contact, so that we can increase our understanding of what has led to this tragic incident and provide the family with answers to the questions they are asking. No piece of information is too small – please call us immediately.”
The incident room can be reached on 0208 345 3985 with the reference Operation Tampere or CAD1321/06MAR. Alternatively call 101 or tweet @MetCC.
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.
