Fire Claims House on Iguana Street Extension

Shantia Gill

On Tuesday, we told you about a fire that gutted a home on the south side of Belize City. Sometime after eleven on Monday night, fire woke up residents on Iguana Street Extension. Today, we spoke with the homeowner, Shantia Gill, who says that her wooden home was set on fire. Luckily, she and her children were not there when it happened and were staying with relatives in the Belama area. But the family lost everything.

Shantia Gill, Fire Victim

“On Sunday night, my sister and I went just to pick up two suit of clothes each for the kids because actually I am raising six kids—two for my sister that passed away and my own three. And from since then, my sister has my three nieces staying with her. And my three kids and my common-law, we are at his mom’s house staying with her. On Monday night, I received a lot of calls, but my phone was on vibrate because I was too exhausted. And I heard his phone rang and within sleep and wake, I ended up with a missed call. I was wondering why was my sister’s gentleman calling at such time. When I answered the phone she said Shantel dah Marlon. So I dah like weh happen? Why you di call so late? And he said dehn burn down unu house; the house deh pan fire. I said you serious? But I was still in shock because I just the dry get some rest. Within five to ten minutes time, they were there to pick me up at the scene and everything just gone. But the most important part—I’m not really worried about the material stuff because I can always get that back. But the most important thing is that we weren’t in the house at the time—myself and the six kids and my gentleman—we are safe; that’s the most important things because if anyone of us should have lost our lives, we could not replace it.”