KEY POINTS:
An eight-year-old boy has died after being pulled from a burning house by firefighters in Christchurch.
Aron John Harwood was pulled from the burning two-storey building, along with his caregiver, by firefighters about 9.30pm last night.
Aron later died in Christchurch Hospital from his injuries.
His female caregiver suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns and has been released from hospital.
Detective Sergeant Ken Legat told the Herald police were working from the origin of the fire - in an upper storey bedroom - to work out how the fire started.
Fireworks were heard in the area prior to the blaze and this could not yet be ruled out as the cause.
Christchurch Deputy chief fire officer Dave Burford said the house was engulfed in flames when the Fire Service arrived last night.
"We went in over the roof, through one of the windows," Mr Burford said.
Aron was found by two firefighters and was unconscious but breathing.
The firefighters tried to resuscitate him and he was taken to hospital by ambulance but later died, Mr Burford said.
He said the boy's caregiver has burns to her legs after she tried to rescue the boy.
A smoke alarm was seen in the house but it is not clear if it was working at the time.
Mr Burford said people should have at least two plans to exit their house in a fire.
"It's a tragedy. A lot of our fireman have kids this age and it does affect us," Mr Burford said.
