his 17-year-old sister's life this weekend after a fire swept through the family's Southampton home.

According to a witness, Mr. Burchall's sister was in the bathtub when the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon and did not detect the smoke until it had effectively blocked her exit.

Mr. Burchall, who covers sports for ZBM-TV, was reported to have rescued his sister through the bathroom window.

The house, on Horseshoe Road, suffered severe heat and smoke damage. Damage is estimated at around $85,000.

Nineteen firefighters and six vehicles were called to the scene of the fire -- the cause of which has yet to be determined.

Yesterday, various sources told the The Royal Gazette that it might have been an electrical fault.