House burns, children lucky to be alive

Looking at the circumstances of a fire that occurred this weekend in Belize City, tonight we could have easily been reporting on multiple fatalities. That we’re not is attributable to sheer luck. Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Twenty-four year old Beverly Ebanks was not at home at 2:30 a.m. when the flames were seen billowing from her house at 28B Tigris Street. Her four children, age three to seven, were left alone.

Ernest Dominguez, Fire Station Supervisor

“Their mother was out, went to buy water and upon her return, they told her that her house was on fire, but the kids were safe. The eldest of the kid brought out the younger children, followed by the little girl, six years old.”

Marion Ali

“So where did the fire start, and what caused it?”

Ernest Dominguez

“The fire started in the living room of the house. It was ignited by the four year-old playing with a candle and he placed the candle under the sofa which ignited.”

Although the upper flat and all its contents were destroyed, none of the children were hurt. But Dominguez says leaving children unattended is literally playing with fire.

Ernest Dominguez

“Kids have a natural curiosity and they will try to find out what fire can do. So there should always be an adult supervision around them.”

Meanwhile, the department used the scene to instruct some of its newer fire fighters.

Ernest Dominguez

“They haven’t taken the investigation training, so we just used this scene to help in the training for them. Some of them are from the districts so this just comes in handy for them.”

The Ebanks residence was not connected to either electricity or water lines. The lower flat of the house was unoccupied at the time of the blaze. Beverly Ebanks and her children are now staying with a friend on Dean Street.