A nine-year-oldboy, Daniel Pryce, of Edie Lane, Kingston, died in a fire which destroyed his one-bedroom apartment in downtown Kingston on Thursday night, police told THE STAR yesterday.

The boy was burnt to death after he and his 11-year-old brother were both left alone at home, the police say. The other boy has been admitted to hospital. Police reported that the boys were left at the house by a guardian, who reportedly went to work. It is said that the guardian asked a neighbour to check on the children, after locking them inside.

Called fire brigade

At about 11 p.m., the police say, residents noticed fire coming from the apartment. The fire brigade was summoned, and upon arriving, the door to the apartment was forced open. Both boys were found in a corner of the room, police reported.

Both boys were removed from the burning house, but not before the younger child died. The 11-year-old is in critical condition, THE STAR understands.

The boy's guardian is now in police custody. Up to late last night, he was still being interrogated, police say.