Boy killed and woman injured in house fire in Sandbach, Cheshire, UK

An eight-year-old boy has died after getting trapped in a house fire in Cheshire.

Firefighters were called to a home on Platt Avenue, Sandbach, at 2.50am on Sunday where they found a woman outside with serious burns.

The 35-year-old, believed to be the boy's mother, was said to have been screaming after the boy was left inside the burning house.

The eight-year-old was rescued from the upstairs of the property, but died at around 5am.

The woman was taken to Leighton Hospital, Crewe, in a stable condition.

The pair has been named in reports as Kelly-Ann Carter and Lucas Carter.

One neighbour described how he smashed a window in an attempt to save the boy, before being overcome by the fire.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were sent to the property and extinguished the fire.

Police have opened an investigation into the blaze.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary said: "Our thoughts at the current time are with the family of the boy and we request for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

"The cause of the fire, which has since been extinguished, is currently unknown and a full investigation has been launched.

"Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 215 of 30/10/2016."