The dad of the seven-year-old boy who was found dead following a house fire in Deptford has spoken about his pain.

Joel Urhie was discovered by firefighters after the blaze in Adolphus Street at 3.25am on Tuesday (August 7).

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

News Shopper:

The boy’s dad, John Urhie, 54, who moved out of the house five years ago, said: “He was a very lovely boy who was just loving life and it's a terrible loss."

"He played with everyone around here. He was a very nice looking boy.

"It's terrible, the pain we can never forget."

He added that Joel’s mum was recovering in hospital with their 19-year-old daughter Sarah and 21-year-old son Sam.

READ MORE - 'Loud screams' heard from Deptford house where 7-year-old boy was killed in fire

Since the tragic news broke, a fundraiser has now been set up to help the family.

Jenni Poulter, who set up the JustGiving page, said: “I want to raise money for the family to help them replace belongings and with the funeral costs.

“I am not related to the family and I don’t know them but I saw the fire and it was horrendous. I just want to help and I know there are others who feel the same.”

Link to fundraiser here

The Met Police are treating the fire as a suspected arson attack and no arrests have yet been made.

Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan, of Lewisham Police, said: "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.

"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.

"We have no idea what the motive for this attack was.

"We've got no suspects at this time."

Fire crews from Deptford, Greenwich, New Cross, Lewisham, East Greenwich and Peckham fire stations attended the incident.

Anyone with information on this fatal fire is requested to call police on 101 quoting CAD 933/07Aug or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.