DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry after the death of a child in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.

Emergency services were called to a house in Brompton Park shortly after 8.15 pm following reports of a stabbing incident.

MIT detectives, uniformed police and a CSI forensic team are currently at the scene.

The NI Ambulance Service said it dispatched a rapid response paramedic and two crews to the incident.

It took two patients, a toddler and a young child, to hospital.

Tragically, one has since lost their fight for life

It is understood one person, believed to be a woman, has been arrested for questioning.

She has been taken to the PACE custody suite at Musgrave PSNI station for processing and questioning.

SDLP North Belfast MLA Nicola Mallon said the incident involved a mother and two children and the reports were “highly distressing”.

Ms Mallon said her thoughts are with the family at the centre of the major incident and that the local community is shocked.

“It is important that the PSNI are given the space and full co-operation to fully investigate this terrible incident,” she continued.

“The SDLP will continue to liaise with police, those affected and the community on the ground as the situation unfolds.

“Our thoughts are with the wider family and we want to thank those residents who assisted the police at the scene tonight.”