A two-year-old boy has been reported missing and police fear that his remains will be found in the ashes of the house in Edsbjörke in Värmland in western Sweden which was engulfed in flames on Thursday morning.

The death can not be confirmed until the body of the small child is found, but police are fearing the worst.

A 16-year-old suffering burns was taken by ambulance to Karlstad Central Hospital on Thursday morning. The teenagers injuries are not reported to be life-threatening.

A further two people were reported to have been in the house but managed to get out safely.

“It is about as chaotic as can be. The house is just a shell and we are waiting for it to collapse,” said Pär Maltesson at Torsby fire department.

The 16-year-old boy had been able to climb out of the house and into a neighbouring property from where the fire could be reported. When fire fighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames.

The boy had been on the top floor of the house when the fire broke out, his mother and her 2-year-old grandson were one floor down.

Up to ten fire fighters are involved in extinguishing the last of the fire at the house which is 50-years-old, with a timber frame and plaster facade.

“The fire is difficult to put out and we have not been able to enter and search the house yet,” Pär Maltesson said.