THE death of toddler Aaron Reynolds is likely to have been an horrendous, tragic accident police said today.

Inquiries into the fire in which three-year-old Aaron died are likely to take some weeks.

Aaron was trapped in his bedroom at home in Hollin Way, Constablelee, Rawtenstall, when fire broke out at about 9pm on Tuesday, August 7.

He died, despite heroic efforts to reach him by his mum's partner Graham Gardiner and fire officers. They were beaten back by the heat.

Graham and Aaron's mum, Susan Reynolds, were both taken to Bury General Hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation and shock.

They are being comforted by relatives in the Merseyside area.

Det Insp Tony Bolton said Susan and Graham had been interviewed by police. He said: "Nothing more has come out other than what we already knew. It is still looking like an horrendous, tragic accident."

Fire investigators are carrying out a painstaking inquiry to try to establish the exact cause of the fire.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith has been informed and an inquest will be held. The findings of a post mortem examination will be revealed when the inquest is held.

The funeral details are not yet known.

Aaron attended the Flying Start nursery in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, where he is remembered as a quiet, lovely little boy, who adored Thomas the Tank Engine.