Fire leaves family of ten homeless
A fire this morning destroyed a family home in Belize City and tonight, the Moody family is in despair and homeless after their personal documents and belongings perished in flames. The fire, which occurred on Price Alley, gutted the two storey wooden building occupied by the family and the flames scorched the house next door. News Five’s Duane Moody and cameraman Darrel Moguel were on the scene as firemen tried to contain the blaze.
Duane Moody, Reporting
A family of ten is homeless tonight when a fire destroyed their place. The blazing flames started sometime around eleven-thirty this morning and by the time we were there, it had already been contained. According to Acting Fire Chief Ted Smith, the Fire Department responded almost immediately.
Ted Smith, Acting Fire Chief
“At eleven-thirty-nine hours we received a call via telephone of a structural fire at Price Alley. The department responded and at eleven-forty-two arrived on the ground and found a two storey wooden structure engulfed in flames and the adjacent structure already had the eastern wall on fire. The department went into operation, contained and extinguished the fire before it can spread to any other structure within the neighbourhood.”
Kadesha Moody said she left home at about eleven this morning to do some banking and to purchase food. About an hour later she received a call saying her home was in flames.
Kadesha Moody, Resident, Destroyed House
“I noh really know weh happen but I come den outta di house and I tell my oldest bredda dat I gwein go buy food and wen I gone I just get wah call and dehn tell me my house deh pan fire. My bwai call me and tell me dat my house deh pan fire. I only left my oldest bredda, the eighteen year old, and my lee breda Kais.”
Duane Moody
“What are you going to do now that the house is burnt?”
Kadesha Moody
“I cant do nothing cause everything gone. I just mi di try get wah job but I can’t do nothing cause all my documents gone and so.”
Duane Moody
“And who all mi live inna di house?”
Kadesha Moody
“Me and my seven bredda and my lee sister and my ma; only we.”
The fire could have easily burnt more buildings but Smith says their techniques prevented further damage.
Ted Smith
“We have what we call a three prong attack that is implemented on the ground which is protect the exposure, attack the seat of the fire and avenue of fire spread. So we implemented that on the ground; contain, control and extinguish.”
According to an eye witness, Kadesha’s four year old brother was sleeping inside the house and it was a cousin who rescued him before the building was completely engulfed in flames.
Duane Moody reporting for News Five.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and the Fire Department continues its investigation. The Moody family is asking for your assistance and can be reached at 627-2783. Financial contributions are welcomed at Atlantic Bank account number 100 114 804.
