A NEW probe has started into the murder of a seven-year-old boy killed in a Huddersfield house blaze exactly 10 years ago today.
Joe McCafferty died after an arsonist set fire to the terraced house on Haywood Avenue in Marsh where he was staying with his aunt on May 3, 1997.
Now police chiefs have revealed that all the evidence gathered is to undergo new forensic tests.
And with technology moving on at such a quick-moving pace since then it is hoped the tests could provide a crucial clue to catch the killer.
The murderer poured fuel through the letterbox and set it alight and a petrol container was found at the scene.
Police have also revealed that someone contacted a radio station last year - and what they said leads officers to believe that person could also provide them with a breakthrough.
Det Supt Paul Kennedy, of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, is leading the new investigation.
He said: "We never close cases such as this. In light of new technology that wasn't available to us 10 years ago a full forensic review of this case is being carried out. This may bring important new information to light.
"We would ask people who were in the area at the time and who we spoke to at the time to think back on what they told us.
"As time goes on we would ask if they have anything else they want to tell us.
"People may have made assumptions at the time that police had all the information available, which is not necessarily the case.
"If you are unsure that something may have been passed on to the police get in touch so we can double-check.
"We would particularly appeal to the person who called a local radio station anonymously last year to call back. You could have information that could help us catch the killer.
"Joe lost his life that night and inquiries are still very active to bring the person who did this to justice for Joe's family."
The killer struck in the early hours of the morning, just two days after Labour swept to victory in the 1997 General Election. Joe and his brother, Nicky, now 18, were staying with Tracey's sister, Debra, when 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.
Chantelle, now 21, was the first to be woken by the sound of the fire, at around 5am.
She roused Debra and Shereen and they escaped through an upstairs window as the flames roared through the house.
Debra suffered cuts to her wrist when she smashed a window to get the children out. She was also burned on her back.
Shereen, now 20, was cut as she escaped through the smashed window.
The family could not face returning to live at the house and live elsewhere.
The main clue to the killer was the burned remains of a green plastic Unipart container used for motor oil which was found outside the house.
It was dark green, used for 20/50 motor oil and was last made in 1994, three years before the arson attack. Most were sold at Esso filling stations.
It was used to carry the petrol that was poured through the letterbox and then set alight.
Late last year Tracey said: "I now know there are people out there who know who is responsible.
"It is vital they come forward and talk to the police in confidence."
She went to see a medium on July 11 last year - the same date as Joe's funeral nine years previously - and the medium advised her to return to the Marsh area and talk to people there.
She did that and put up hundreds of posters, from the town centre to Marsh and across to Birchencliffe, appealing for people to come forward with information.
Tracey added: "I feel it is only a matter of time before we find out who has done it. The pressure may now be really building on that person and they may feel time is running out for them and the net is closing in.
"I'd urge them to come forward now and confess all. It will be in their best interests."
An inquest last year ruled that Joe had been unlawfully killed.
Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
