Fire Destroys Townhouse in Quallos Alley, Belize City
Two families are without a roof over their head tonight after a fire destroyed their home. The families lost most of their belongings and nothing was insured. As many as ten people lived in the duplex style home off Lightburn Alley in an area behind Dario’s. Fire fighters were able to put out the blaze inside the cement house, but the cause of the fire is still unknown at this time. News Five’s Andrea Polanco was on the scene of the fire and spoke with one of the tenants of the residence.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
A fire broke out inside a house on 17A Quallos Alley sometime around two this afternoon. Fire-men were at work putting out the blaze but the two families – a total of about ten to eleven persons- who live here lost most of their belongings managing to save only a few items. It is believed that it started in the upper flat of this side of the house. Melonie Bowen’s family lived on the other side of the building. She was not at home when it started in her neighbor’s upper flat.
Melonie Bowen
Melonie Bowen, Fire Victim
“I don’t even have an idea what happened because I was at work. They said you have two calls; I told her to put the calls to my desk and they said there is a fire at my house. I said no, how can there be a fire? I left my house good this morning and my kids were there. So, I left work and I asked a co-worker to bring me and this is what I saw. My house burnt.”
Andrea Polanco
“Talk to us about what you lost as a result of this fire?”
Melonie Bowen
“Basically just sleeping – my clothes, the bed, mattress. I just got some groceries and I lost all of that for the baby. I need to actually go in and assess what did I lost or what got burnt or wet. My sofas they are downstairs because it is a split level house. My neighbor lives at the back and I live at the front.”
Andrea Polanco
“Did you manage to take out anything?”
Melonie Bowen
“I couldn’t take out anything. I think my neighbours they took out some of the stuff. But I don’t know until I go and check what is there – what got took out and what got burnt.”
Bowen and her three children lived on this side – at the time of the fire her daughter and son were at home. Inside each units there were two bedrooms and bathroom upstairs; and living room and kitchen on the lower part of the house. The other family affected was not around while the firemen –using two trucks- contained the blaze inside the structure. Investigators with the fire department are still working to determine what caused the fire.
Andrea Polanco
“So, the fire started on the other side of the house?”
Melonie Bowen
“The other side of the house.”
Andrea Polanco
“Have you heard what caused the fire?”
Melonie Bowen
“No, ma’am I haven’t heard anything.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, they got burnt out as well?”
Melonie Bowen
“Yes. They got burn out.”
Andrea Polanco
“Was there anyone in their side of the house at the time of the fire?”
Melonie Bowen
“I don’t know. I don’t have a clue. I really don’t know.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, only your daughter was over your side?”
Melonie Bowen, Fire Victim
“My daughter and my son. This is so devastating. A couple day ago – ah this is too much for me right now. It is too much. I am going through a lot right now. But I am going to get through it.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
Bowen says she will be staying with family until she can get back on her feet. But in the meantime if you can assist, please call 623-1358 or 650-1093. We will have more on this fire in Monday night’s newscast.
