A POLICE investigation is ongoing following a fatal house fire in Lancaster in which an 11-year-old boy died.

Emergency services from Bolton-le-Sands, Morecambe and Lancaster were called at approximately 4.50am on Sunday (March 19) to reports a fire had broken out at an address on Coniston Road, Lancaster.

Police attended with the fire service and found an 18-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy had managed to escape, but a third child was still inside the house.

The body of an 11-year-old boy – who can now be named as Cem Bora, also of Coniston Road – was found a short time later inside the address.

The 18-year-old man was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where he is receiving treatment. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

The 12-year-old boy is currently at Alder Hey Hospital, where he is described as being ‘extremely poorly’ although his condition is thought to be stable.

Police enquiries are ongoing and at this stage the fire is being treated as unexplained.

Detective Superintendent Steve Pemberton, who is leading the investigation, said: “This incident has taken a young boy from his family and our thoughts, first and foremost, are with them. I can only send them our deepest condolences at this devastating time.

“We are currently treating the fire as unexplained and our joint investigation with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is very much ongoing.

“We would now like to thank the local community for their patience while we remain at the address, where we are expected to have a scene on for several more days.”