Arrests Over Huddersfield Fire Death - 18 Years On

5 May 2015, 14:37 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a seven-year-old boy who died in an arson attack 18 years ago.

Joe McCafferty died after an accelerant was poured through the letterbox and set alight at his aunt's home in Huddersfield, on May 3 1997.

A 65-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, both from the Huddersfield area, are being held in connection with Joe's death, West Yorkshire Police said.

Joe was staying with his aunt, brother and two cousins in the house in Haywood Avenue, Marsh, when the fire was started in the early hours of the morning.

The blaze spread through the property and Joe was pronounced dead on arrival at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Sunday marked the 18th anniversary of Joe's death.

Joe's mother, Tracey McCafferty, paid tribute to her son, who would now be 25.

She said:

"He was a lively little boy. Just full of the joys all the time. A very happy kid, never let anything bother him or anything.

"He just enjoyed life. He was a lovely boy, very loving, he loved playing, mixing with other children, very boisterous, cheeky.

"They say that time's a healer but it's not. Time has not healed. If anything it's got worse over the years.

"I do think about him every day.''