A 17-year-old boy of Burton district in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, is being praised for his quick actions that saved the lives of his two siblings.

The Lacovia police report that about 4:20 p.m., the youngster was at home with his nine and three-year-old siblings, when he saw smoke coming from a section of their two-bedroom home.

After going to investigate and seeing a section of the house ablaze, he ushered them to safety before the flames engulfed the building.

The Santa Cruz Fire Department, who conducted cooling down operations, reported that the fire was due to an electrical short circuit.

Loss is estimated at two and a half million dollars and the house was not insured.

The Lacovia police are investigating.