AN inquest into the death of a seven-year-old boy was being held today - eight years after he was killed in a house fire.

Joe McCafferty died when the blaze swept through a house at Haywood Avenue, Marsh, on May 3, 1997.

The fire was started deliberately, but despite an intensive police investigation no-one has yet been brought to justice.

The inquest was opened shortly after the tragedy and was due to be resumed at Huddersfield Coroner's Court today.

Earlier this year, Joe's mother Tracey appealed to anyone who could help police trap the murderer.

Tracey, who has now moved out of the Huddersfield area, said: "Eight years have now passed and still we don't know who is responsible.

"Somebody out there must know who is responsible, because I don't believe somebody could carry that knowledge without speaking to someone else about it.

"It's about time they came forward because my life cannot move on until we find out who did it.

"It is not just me, but Joe has a brother and sister who would also like to know, along with all his relatives. The person who has done this must be punished and we can then try to carry on with life."

Joe and his brother, Nicky, now 17, were staying with their aunt, Debra, on the night the arsonist struck. Tracey was away visiting her mother in Norfolk.

Also in the house were Debra's daughter, Chantelle, and Chantelle's step-sister Shereen.

Firefighters rescued Nicky - who had suffered serious burns to his body and arms - and Joe from the inferno, but sadly Joe was dead on arrival at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Debra suffered cuts to her wrist when she smashed a window to get the children out. She was also burned on her back.

The main clue to the killer was burned remains of a green plastic Unipart motor oil container found outside the house.

Det Insp Ian Devey, of Kirklees CID, said:

"The file is never closed on murder cases and we will thoroughly investigate any new information that comes in."

Contact Huddersfield CID on 01484 436582, or phone Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.