Dwayne Mcleod, Staff Reporter

Investigators are theorising that a fire which resulted in the death of a five-year-old on Monday was caused by an electrical short circuit.

During the fire, Sudane Reid of Freehill district, St Mary, was burnt to death while sleeping.

Police say about 1:30 p.m., Sudane was watching television with his 15-year-old brother.

He fell asleep and his brother decided to go to a shop to buy food.

Upon leaving for the shop, workers employed to the Jamaica Public Service were noticed working on a light post. Shortly after which, other residents were heard screaming for fire.

Sudane's brother was subsequently alerted that his home was on fire.

The Port Maria Fire Brigade put out the blaze. The charred remains of Sudane were found.

Constabulary Communication Network liaison officer for the parish, Corporal Angella McTaggart, told THE STAR that preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.

McTaggart noted that residents are making similar claims.

One resident reportedly claimed to witnessing one of the technicians cut a wire, only to then be ordered to replace it. The resident further stated that at that point, fire was noticed on the end of the wire.