House collapses while being raised

Just before news time tonight, a house collapsed in Belize City. The plywood and concrete building at Rivero Extension, off Kraal Road, was occupied by the Young family. The residents were in the process of lifting the structure a few feet when the accident happened. Many items were damaged inside the house, but while two persons were inside the building when it collapsed, according to Alston Young, no one was injured.

Alston Young, Home Collapsed
“We paid some fellas to raise the house for us and when I came home the house fell apart. So I asked what’s wrong and they said the saddle of the house wasn’t strong enough and the saddle burst and that’s the house dropped.”

Jose Sanchez
“Your losses, is there anything you can do to repair the house?”

Arlston Young
“Well, I have someone that I work with and I believe he will give me a hand.”

Jose Sanchez
“Did you lose everything? Is there anything that was saved?”

Arlston Young
“We have accessories. I noh si di house yet but I noticed the electrical items and the refridge and the stove and…”

Gwendolyn Young, Home Collapsed
“I would ah want Social come help we. I have my brother here weh can’t walk and I noh have nowhere I could put him. I’m trying to ask Social to put him in a home for me last month and they said they had room but the room leak and “horse dead and cow fat”.”

Jose Sanchez
“Okay, what about tonight? Where will you all sleep tonight?”

Gwendolyn Young
“I gwein go sleep dah mi son house but mi daughter seh she wah sleep right yah.”

Arlston Young
“I wah stay right yah too. That was my uncle that was in the house.”

Jose Sanchez
“Anyone injured or…”

Arlston Young
“No, no.”

Gwendolyn Young
“Two person was in there.”

Arlston Young
“My uncle was in the house but he wasn’t injured.”

Gwendolyn Young
“And my grandson. My uncle and my grandson.”

If anyone would like to help the Young family, you can contact them at 603-6114