Fire Wipes Out Family Home in Belize City

A fire destroyed a home shortly after eleven last night in Belize City.  Shantel Gill wasn’t at home on Iguana Street Extension when fire engulfed the wooden house and completely destroyed it. When we visited the scene today, the owner wasn’t at home but her neighbor told us that he was awaken by the heat and flames from next door.

George Willoughby, Neighbor

“The heat and the flame wake me up. When I come out, I see big flames. I neva know what exactly fi do guys. I get frightened. The house deh close to my house and I mi the worry about the people deh if dem mi di deh but them mi done move out.”

Andrea Polanco

“So, who lived inside the house?”

George Willoughby

George Willoughby

“Shantel Gill. She and her kids and her niece.”

Andrea Polanco

“And you guys as neighbours, you haven’t heard what happened- what caused it?”

George Willoughby

“No. No ma’am. I nuh know what caused it.”

Andrea Polanco

“So she lost everything? Did you speak with Shantel today?”

George Willoughby

“Yeah. Ih say ih lost everything. Only lee bit ah clothes weh ih ker that dah weh she have. Everything she lost.  I sorry fi ah and all cause hmm she got lotta pickney too.”

Andrea Polanco

“And she didn’t say maybe, you know if it is electrical or what? She didn’t say?”

George Willoughby

“No. She and all surprised when she see ih house unda fire.”

Andrea Polanco

“So, she came out last night when the fire was on?”

George Willoughby

“Yeah she came out and when we come we just see the house unda flames. And we still the worry and wonder dah who do it or how it caused.”

We weren’t able to get an interview with the National Fire Service today.