Despite the efforts of emergency responders who worked tirelessly to douse flames that engulfed a Montclair home, a little girl was killed last night after rescuers could not reach her in time.

Members of the Montclair Community Policing Forum (CPF) who attended the scene after receiving a distress call at about 23:25, said the five-year-old child’s mother, father and older sibling escaped the fire unharmed.

Montclair Police Station communications officer Captain Cheryl Pillay said it is believed the mother was awoken by her son, who informed her that their home was on fire.

“The mother left the little girl in her room and proceeded to establish the cause of the fire. However, the fire engulfed their home and she was unable to get back to her child. The girl burned to death. Members of the fire department who attended the scene, were unable to ascertain the cause of the fire,” Pillay said.

Montclair police are investigating an inquest docket.

Montclair CPF chairperson Shawn Smith said: “We are heartbroken that the life of the little girl could not be saved, however, we thank the reaction officers who tried so hard to save her. We sympathise with the family and offer them our condolences and support during this time of tragedy.”