Fire-fighting Equipment Needed in Caye Caulker

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

The last time there was a fire on Caye Caulker was back in September 2019 when a fire broke at Nando’s Golf Cart Rentals and Apartments. Fourteen persons were displaced and a mechanic of San Jose Village died.  A post-mortem of this morning’s fire is underway, but village council chair Seleny Villanueva-Pott says that she will try to source equipment to help the fire department on the island with its response to these disasters.

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker Village Council

“For sure we need more portable pumps. That’s one thing after the last incident in September two years ago, BWSL gave us two. There is still only one that is in working condition; that’s the one that came in handy last night. But we need more portable pumps. For some reason, our team couldn’t get the fire truck started when they wanted it to start. I spoke to our fire chief here this morning and he is explaining to me that there are some parts that are needed for his fire truck. And I told him if we need to source it, we must because in a situation like this, he explains that there is drainage of the water and by the time he gets to whatever site it is, he might not have any water. So I think it is important that he has whatever he needs. We never know when disaster will strike so it is important that he is prepared.”