A six-year-old boy has died in hospital following a fire at a house in Ilkeston, Derbyshire Police said.
Officers were called to reports of a fire at a house in Shaw Street West, at 10.40pm on Friday.
“Firefighters entered the property and found a six-year-old boy with serious injuries,” a statement from the force read.
“The boy was taken to QMC [Queen’s Medical Centre] by ambulance, however, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
“Enquiries as to the cause of the fire are ongoing and a joint police and fire investigation will take place today.”
One neighbour told the Derby Telegraph that they heard the boy’s mother screaming for help.
The witness, who did not wish to be identified, said: “I heard this commotion on the street, it was the mum screaming ‘help me, help me’.
“Me and another neighbour tried to get in but we just couldn’t. People tried their hardest to help.”
Nearby resident Jack Hill told the site he saw a young girl who lived in the property screaming.
The 25-year-old said he ran to a local restaurant to get a fire extinguisher but the smoke was too thick to get onto the first floor of the house.
Another neighbour who preferred to remain anonymous told the news outlet that the fire looked “serious”.
“We had been out and when we turned into the street there were police cars, an ambulance and fire engines. It looked really serious, they were here until around 12.30am.”
A statement from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service read: “At 10.39pm on Friday 26 October 2018 Firefighters were called to attend a house fire on Shaw Street West, Ilkeston.
“Three fire crews from Ilkeston and Stapleford attended the fire.
“Firefighters using breathing apparatus and hose real jets entered the property and rescued a 6 year old boy, performing CPR until the arrival of paramedics. The boy was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre but was tragically pronounced deceased.
“Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service would like to extend its thoughts and sympathy to the family and friends of the boy at this distressing time.
“A joint police and fire investigation into the cause of the fire is due to commence at 10am today.”