Police probe gang war link to house fire

Detectives probing a fatal house fire in south London are investigating whether the blaze could have been prompted by a feud between street gangs.

The body of nine-year-old Jefe Okobia was found by firefighters in the terrace house which was destroyed in the blaze. It broke out after 3am yesterday.

Jefe's 13-year-old sister Yorhe was forced to jump from a first-floor window and suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation. His three other siblings are not believed to have been at home.

The fire followed an attempted arson attack on the same house in Shifford Path, Lower Sydenham, two weeks ago.

Murder squad detectives are investigating claims that a turf war between gangs could be behind the attacks. They are seeking a black man aged about 18 who was seen running away from the house.

Today Jefe's mother Ejiro, a psychiatric nurse, was comforting her daughter at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.