Three-year-old boy dies in Alice Springs hospital after becoming trapped in house fire

Investigators are trying to determine the circumstance around an Alice Springs house fire that killed a three-year-old boy who was found inside the property, as the community mourns the tragedy.

A child has died in hospital after they were found unresponsive inside a home on Thorold Court, Larapinta. Picture: Laura Hooper

The family of a three-year-old boy who died in an Alice Springs house fire is being supported by the community and government agencies as investigations into the incident continue.

The youngster was found unresponsive in the front part of the three-bedroom public housing property at Larapinta.

Neighbours reported seeing smoke and raised the alarm with emergency services about 10.30am Thursday.

Emergency services, including police, arrived within seven minutes with two officers understood to have forced entry into the property.

They are understood to have continued CPR efforts until after paramedics arrived.

The child was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital where he later died.

Namatjira MLA Bill Yan commended the police officers’ actions in trying to save the child.

“Officers rescued a three-year-old child from a house fire and desperately worked to provide CPR, only to lose that battle,” Mr Yan said.

Investigators remained at the Thorold Court property throughout Thursday, with police tape around the outer fence.

A child has died in hospital after they were found unresponsive inside a home on Thorold Court, Larapinta. Picture: Laura Hooper

A trampoline and sandpit with several childs’ toys were visible from the roadway.

A Territory Families, Housing and Communities spokesman on Friday said the department was “working closely” with the family of the child.

“TFHC extends our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and community affected by the death of a child at this property,” the spokesman said.

“The death of any child is a tragedy and TFHC will work closely with the family to make sure they have all the support they need during this difficult time.

“The matter is now subject to a police investigation, which will explore the full details of the incident.

“TFHC will co-operate fully to support and assist with these investigations.”

The cause of the blaze is not yet known and NT Fire district officer for the southern region Stephen Hunter said investigations were ongoing.

Mr Hunter said the incident had an impact on the community, particularly the emergency services involved in the rescue.

“Alice Springs is a very tight community and the emergency services community is even tighter,” he said.

“This has had a large impact on the members involved across St Johns, fire and rescue and police, we all have young families and it has affected a lot of us.

“It has also affected the locals and you can see family and friends rallying around and showing the care and support communities here have.

“We cannot confirm who else was in the home, that forms part of the ongoing investigation but my officers are working with the coroner and Regional Crime Command to flesh out those details.”

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson said his heart went out to the families involved in the incident.

“Alice Springs is a very tight community and when things like this happen it’s a massive ripple effect, my heart goes out to the families affected and breaks for them, and also the first responders that had to attend the incident,” he said.

“It’s a difficult time for Alice Springs.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Police Minister Kate Worden address the media following two deaths in Alice Springs on June 1. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the death of the young child was an absolute tragedy.

“The loss of any child is heart wrenching. And so my condolences to the family and the community,” Ms Fyles said.

Mr Yan said the incident was “absolutely tragic”.

“This is absolutely tragic for a very young person to die in a house fire,” Mr Yan said.

“The Assistant Commissioner said his police members were extremely distressed about what they had seen and what had taken place.

Namitjira MLA Bill Yan following fire and stabbing deaths in Alice Springs on June 1.

“It’s the same for the fireys who had to go into the building and get the child out, and the paramedics who worked alongside police to try to save the child on the way to hospital.

“These are things that nobody wants to talk about.

“They’re absolutely horrified and of course very, very upset about what has taken place and having to respond to tragic incidents like this twice in one day.”

Originally published as Three-year-old boy dies in Alice Springs hospital after becoming trapped in house fire