Rescued boy dies after Kettering house fire

A seven-year-old boy has died after being rescued from a house fire.

Firefighters saved the boy, who had been sleeping in an upstairs bedroom at the property in Edinburgh Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire.

His parents, a second child aged two, and a third adult managed to escape the terraced house, a Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

The boy was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to Kettering Hospital where he later died, the spokesman added.

Police and the fire service are working to establish the cause of the fire, which was discovered in a ground-floor room at the house.

The cause of the fire is not being treated as suspicious at this time, Northamptonshire Police said.

Two fire engines and at least 12 firefighters attended the scene this morning after the fire service was alerted by neighbours.

Warren Ellison, station manager at Kettering Fire Station, said: "When crews arrived the parents, a second child and a third adult were outside the property.

"The fire was well developed by this time.

"The street was full of smoke and firefighters made their way into the house after being told by the boy's mother that he was in an upstairs bedroom.

"She said they had woken up and had smelt smoke and had evacuated the property.

"The boy was brought out and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital where he sadly, despite the best efforts of staff, later died."

He said the fire service were working to support the family following the boy's death.

They are believed to have been uninjured in the incident, he added.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "A seven-year-old boy has sadly died as a result of this morning's house fire in Edinburgh Road, Kettering.

"A forensic investigation into the cause of the fire is currently taking place, but the early indication is that it is not suspicious."

Witnesses or anyone with information are urged to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

PA