A Chilton County man and young child were killed Wednesday afternoon during a house fire.

According to Maplesville Mayor W.C. Hayes, the fire occurred on a county road just outside the town limits.

“When I went out there, the house was burned slap up,” said Hayes.

Fire rescuers found the charred remains of a man identified as “Chuck” Martin and a three-year-old child.

“(Rescuers) at first were looking for the baby and they couldn’t find it,” Hayes said. “They finally saw it in the arms of the man.”

Hayes said the child was burned beyond recognition and investigators were unable to determine its sex.

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Department is handling the case, but as of press time was not releasing specific details.

According to the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A deputy fire marshal said the department is gathering information and will issue a final report within the next few days.

Attempts to reach the Maplesville volunteer fire chief were unsuccessful.