CHILD, 9, DIES IN HOUSE FIRE

Victim pronounced dead at scene from smoke inhalation

EAST COVENTRY » A young boy died when his family’s home caught fire early Sunday morning in East Coventry Township, according to a media report and a source at the scene.

The fire was reported around 5:30 a.m. in the first block of Buckwalter Road near the corner of Ellis Woods Road. Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze.

A large outdoor plastic play gym could be seen on the front lawn of the house as firefighters worked to contain the fire. Thick, white smoke billowed out from the windows of the home while crews stood on ladders to cut through the roof.

The victim is believed to be a 9-year-old boy, but authorities have not released his name.

WFMZ TV reported that the father arrived at the home early Sunday morning, saw the fire and tried to rescue his son but was unsuccessful. The

boy died from smoke inhalation and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to firefighters. The dad sustained cuts to his arm while breaking a window in an attempt to rescue the child, according to WFMZ.

NBC10 in Philadelphia reported the child was asleep in his second-floor bedroom when the fire broke out.

There is no word on other

injuries.

CBS3 in Philadelphia reported Sunday that the fire was accidental in nature and believed to have started in the kitchen, according to fire officials.

Fire marshals from Chester County and Pennsylvania State Police are assisting the Ridge Fire Company with the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Chester County Coroner’s Office said Sunday the coroner will release a statement at the end of the investigation.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Thick white smoke plumes from inside a house fire in East Coventry Township that claimed the life of a young child Sunday. Firefighters on ladders battled the blaze, which sparked at about 5:45 a.m.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Firefighters take a break from fighting a house fire along the unit block of Buckwalter Road in East Coventry Township. A young child died in the blaze.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA An outdoor plastic play gym can be seen on the front lawn of a house along the unit block of Buckwalter Road in East Coventry Township Sunday as firefighters work to contain a fire inside. The blaze took the life of a young child.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Firefighters stand outside a house fire along the unit block of Buckwalter Road in East Coventry Township Sunday, which claimed the life of a young child.