Investigators say a young child has died after being injured in an early morning fire in Altoona.

The fire broke out at a duplex along South Second Street around 6 a.m.

Neighbors described the scene as frantic, and said the flames were moving fast.

"It engulfed the place within 15 to 20 minutes," said Anna Norris.

Norris said she dialed 911 and ran across the street to help.

"The mother and daughter had gotten out, but the mother was screaming hysterically that her son was still in there," she said. 

Investigators confirmed that child died. 6 News was told the mother and daughter were taken to a Pittsburgh hospital. Their names have not been released.

"When you're pulling people out of buildings that are on fire, it's a real emotional stress on the guys," said Tim Hughes, Altoona City Fire Marshal.

"They do their best to get the people out before they're injured," he said.

As far as the investigation into the fire goes, authorities said it looks like it started on the first floor of the left side of the duplex. That's where the family lived. Investigators said two college-aged girls who lived on the other side made it out safely. 

6 News has learned the child who died was a student at the Learning Express at Curtin Preschool in Altoona. Staff members say they're "devastated" at the loss and expressed their condolences to the family.