Firefighters were dispatched at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, to a residence along Polo Avenue near Richard Avenue, according to the department. Crews arriving on scene located the child inside the home and removed the child shortly afterward.

The child was flown to a regional burn center for specialized treatment but died that evening, officials said. A second person hurt in the fire remains in the hospital, the department reported. Officials have not released the child's identity or provided further details about the cause of the fire, saying the investigation is ongoing.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the child's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Fire Chief Tracy Winecoff said in a statement. "We also recognize the firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and other emergency responders who worked tirelessly to rescue and treat the victims during this tragic incident."

The fire drew a multi-agency response to the residential neighborhood in Cabarrus County, with fire crews, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel all involved in the rescue and treatment effort. The department did not say how many people were inside the home when the fire broke out or describe the extent of the damage.

The death is a painful loss for the Kannapolis community and a reminder of how quickly a house fire can turn fatal, particularly for children. Fire safety advocates have long urged families to maintain working smoke alarms on every level of a home, practice escape routes and keep matches and lighters out of children's reach.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact local authorities as the investigation continues. The department has not indicated when additional details, including the cause, might be released.