A young child has been rescued, after locking himself into a safe in Germany.

Reports say the boy was playing hide and seek with his brother at his grandfather's home in Lichterfelde, south of Berlin, on Friday.

Berlin Fire Brigade say the boy got into the unused vault and the door closed on him.

It took officers about three hours to free him.

Image: berliner-feuerwehr.de

Medical oxygen was sent into the interior of the vault through a narrow gap, as a precaution, during the operation.

Just as special forces were about to forcefully open the safe, the correct number combination was found.

A doctor was on stand-by, but the child was unharmed and handed over to his parents.

He is said to be doing well.