A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy died last night following a fire at his home.

The blaze broke out at a semi-detached house in Broome Road, Carrville, on the outskirts of Durham, at just after 6.30pm yesterday.

Firefighters rescued three people from the burning building - a three-year-old boy, the seven-year-old, believed to be his brother, and a woman, who is understood to be the children's mother.

All three were taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham, where the seven-year-old died of his injuries.

The three-year-old and his mother were later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. The woman was later discharged.

Shocked neighbours said they knew nothing of the tragedy until they saw thick black smoke inside the house and billowing from air vents and the windows.

Witnesses said the fire brigade arrived promptly and immediately forced their way into the building.

One woman, who lives opposite the council house, said: "I heard a commotion and looked out of the window and I could just see the thick smoke at the window. Then the fire brigade arrived and they very quickly went inside."

Another neighbour confirmed that a family lived in the house and said he often saw children playing in the garden outside.

He said: "I heard a noise and when I looked outside, the fire brigade were all over the site.

"Lots of people came outside their houses to see what was going on. It's very sad."

Last night a child's pram stood outside the house as a poignant symbol of the tragedy.

Two appliances from Durham and one from the station at High Handenhold attended the incident.

Fifteen firefighters attended the blaze and, at its height, eight people were wearing breathing apparatus, an indication of the seriousness of the fire.

Fire brigade spokesman Andy Whitehead said: "Three casualties were brought out of the building by firefighters.

"First aid and medical treatment was administered by the ambulance and fire brigade personnel.

"The casualties were transferred to the University of North Durham where, unfortunately, one of the casualties was a fatality."

Mr Whitehead said the fire was brought under control at 7.24pm and although it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage, he described it as "fairly extensive".

Police sealed off a section of the road either side of the house, which was extremely blackened at the front and all the windows were broken.

A full investigation was expected to begin at first light this morning.

A police spokesman said: "We don't believe there's any suspicious circumstances, but the investigation will continue at the scene in the morning."