A child died in a house fire Monday afternoon near the western Wisconsin town of New Richmond, the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office said.

Family members, neighbors and first responders tried to rescue the child trapped inside a burning home on the 17000 block of Margaret Street, but were unable to reach the child due to the heat and flames, said St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson.

The child, who has not yet been identified, died at the scene, Knudson said in a news release.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the blaze, which was reported about 3:15 p.m.

Tim Harlow