THE family of a man who died after a fire at his home today paid tribute to "a wonderful son and brother".

Kevin Lowery, 24, died after the blaze in Denison Road, Selby, in the early hours of Sunday morning. His brother David, 27, managed to escape the fire.

In a statement issued through Selby Police, the Lowery family said: "We are devastated at the loss of a wonderful son and brother.

"Kevin was one in a million. He was kind and generous, fun-loving and lived his short life to the full.

"He was popular, outgoing and had many close friends, who knew him as Monkey.

"They will miss his humour, his company and his loud flowery shirts.

"He was also very ambitious and hard-working and had the makings of a good career in the civil service. He was loved by many people."

The family also thanked staff at York Hospital's accident and emergency department for the way they dealt with the situation.

Neighbours in Denison Road said the incident was "a terrible thing to happen to a really lovely family".

Firefighters called to the house on Sunday morning, found David outside. A four-man team used breathing apparatus to enter the property and bring out Kevin.

Both brothers were taken to York Hospital, but Kevin was later pronounced dead.

Updated: 14:36 Tuesday, July 19, 2005