Man extradited to NSW over 1998 death

Arthur Haines
Arthur Haines was 13 when he died in a Waterloo house fire in 1998. -PR Handout Image

A Queensland man is being extradited to NSW over the alleged murder of a teenage boy more than 20 years ago

Arthur Haines, 13, was sleeping at a friend's home and became trapped on the top floor as the fire took over the building at Waterloo on April 9, 1998.

The boy managed to escape but was severely burned and died 11 weeks later at Westmead Children's Hospital.

The fire was ruled deliberately lit - but the case remained unsolved until homicide detectives re-opened it in 2020.

Their investigation led to an arrest warrant being issued for a 55-year-old man who was believed to be interstate.

He was arrested in Queensland by homicide detectives on Wednesday with a Brisbane court green lighting his extradition on Thursday.

The man is expected to arrive in NSW later on Friday and police are expected to update the media in the afternoon.