House fire kills occupant in his bed

Firefighters responded quickly, but it appears that no amount of speed could have saved the life of a Belize City man who died in his bed as fire consumed his wooden house early this morning in Belize City. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has the story.

Jacqueline Woods, Report

Investigators still have not determined what started the blaze, but the fire that destroyed the two storey wooden building in an alley just off Berkeley Street also killed its only occupant seventy-eight year old Herbert Pratt. Pratt?s charred remains were found embedded in this pile of ashes on top of what was left of the box spring and wooden bed frame. It is believed the elderly man was trapped inside his bedroom and died due to smoke inhalation. According to next door neighbour, James Burgess, who just happens to be a fireman, he tried to save his friend but the area was already engulfed in flames. Burgess, who risked his own life by running into the burning building, knew there was a little of hope saving Pratt…but he still tried to reach him.

James Burgess, Neighbour/Friend

?Well, I was sleeping and I heard a noise and when I got up, I looked through my window and I saw my neighbour?s house on fire. So, I ran outside and I burst his door open and tried to get inside to see if I can rescue him and his bedroom was already on fire and I couldn?t do anything to help him.?

Burgess called in to his work place and it did not take long for fire fighters to respond.

James Burgess

?That was when they came and they started applying water to the house and when they found him, he was badly burnt.?

Jacqueline Woods

?Was he still on his bed??

James Burgess

?Yes, he was still on his bed.?

?Well I think the smoke maybe is what killed him; it could be the smoke. I think it was the smoke that really killed him.?

Several hours after the flames were extinguished, a team of fire investigators returned to sift through the debris to find out what could have happened. Initial reports that the fire might have been caused by a candle have been disputed by friends and family who point out that the house had electricity and Pratt was not known to use candles for light.

Victoria Cunningham, Daughter

?He has so many lights on in the house up until in the morning around seven, seven-thirty. So what?s next? Why is that he needed a candle? The house always have electricity and the lights are always shining. So I really can?t say what happened. Only God and he know what really happened in his death. So we just have to accept it. I looked out for something like that because he would not go to the home and I have two older folks here so I could not keep him here with me. So I would go to his house everyday and attend to him.?

Ted Smith, Assistant Fire Chief

?Up to this point we have established the area where. We believe the fire may have originated from. We do not know yet what caused the fire. We believe the fire originated from the centre of the structure at a low point; in the centre of the building. The approximate centre at a low point that is just a few feet in front of the room where we found the deceased.?

Further investigations reveal that the fire may have started on a table that was situated just outside of Pratt?s bedroom and where he ate his food. Fire officials are trying to determine whether or not something electrical was left on at the time Pratt went to sleep.

Victoria Cunningham

?I assume it was an electrical stove that he might have left on and he liked to have papers all around his table and that?s the only thing I can say that he probably left on last night. He is really in dementia?

Burgess says it?s a pity that his friend had such a tragic death because he was always kind and giving to others.

James Burgess

?He was a nice man, yes. I use to always talk to him. Everyday we talked and when he has something, he would share it with me and that was the way he was.?

The fire, which occurred in a congested neighbourhood, caused only minor damages to two other nearby buildings thanks to the quick action by fire fighters. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.

Pratt will be buried on Saturday morning following services at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral at nine.