Three people, including a child, died in a house fire in the early hours of this morning.
A man, woman, and female child were killed at a property on North Street in Langley Mill, Derbyshire.
Police said they were called there at 4.04am and found the house and a car parked outside "badly damaged".
A Derbyshire Police spokesman said: "Officers are working with firefighters to ascertain the cause of the fire.
"Several neighbouring properties have been evacuated as the fire caused a gas leak. Police understand engineers are working to fix the leak."
Neighbours said they had gone to help those stuck inside the house with ladders before emergency services arrived.
One man, who did not wish to be named, told the Derby Telegraph: "There were about 20 of us fetching ladders to reach the floors and we managed to get some people out."
John Dunkley, a watch manager with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted: "Terrible night shift. Thoughts with all personnel from all emergency services involved at Langley Mill this morning."
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) said that two people at the property affected by the fire and a further three residents from adjacent flats had been able to escape.
One fire appliance was sent after the service was initially called at 3.59am to a car fire on North Street.
A further three were mobilised following a call two minutes later reporting the house fire.
A DFRS spokeswoman said: "Tragically one male, one female and a female infant were unable to escape the fire and have been pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and friends of the deceased."