An American family has had a tragic Christmas after a toddler died from suspected smoke inhalation in a house fire in Germany.

The incident in which little Lily, 2, lost her life took place in the community of Siegbach in the German state of Hesse on Friday, 24th December.

It was around 12.25pm when the girl’s father, not named in local media but said to be 30 years old, noticed a burning smell in the family home.

His wife Milly S. (full surname not reported due to strict local privacy laws), 31, and children Seth, 9, and Rosalee, 10, were with him at the time, so he rushed to find his youngest child.

He found the toddler unconscious in the children’s bedroom, which was filled with smoke.

He tried to resuscitate the young girl, as did paramedics who were called to the scene. However, their efforts did not pay off, as the toddler’s heart had already stopped beating.

It is not known what caused the fire, but investigators say it was a smouldering (i.e. flameless) fire that began in the children’s bedroom, and that Lily probably died from smoke inhalation.

The young family hails from the United States and has been living in the community of around 2,500 people for two years.

Their house is now uninhabitable, and the community has organised temporary accommodation for them while they look for a flat.

Their two dogs, cat and hamster have been taken to an animal shelter.

Mayor Maik Trumpfheller was quoted in local media as saying: “Unfortunately, we cannot compensate the family for their most painful loss, but we want to give them the best possible support.”

The Wetzlar public prosecutor is investigating the incident.