Arson suspected in Maxboro home fire

Tonight authorities in the Belize District are investigating a suspected case of arson in the Maxboro community near Sandhill Village. According to fire officials, shortly after ten this morning a neighbour called fire and police to report that flames were coming out of the windows of a house located at number three-twenty-three Maxboro Street. A fire truck was immediately dispatched to the scene from Belize City, but by the time it arrived, Sandhill police had already extinguished the flames. We understand that heat of the blaze broke the glass louvers of the windows allowing cops to douse water on the flames. Fire fighters tell News Five that initial investigations show that the point of origin was the living room sofa which caused extensive damage to the entire contents of the main room. The adjoining room, which is the kitchen, also sustained heat and smoke damage. The house was owned by Joseph Jones but his sister, Judith and her family had been residing at the address. Officials say that while the building was insured, the contents of the house were not. Investigators were back at the scene this afternoon gathering evidence to determine the cause of the fire. One theory being explored tonight is that the blaze was deliberately set during a home break-in as authorities say the home appeared ransacked.