Dangriga children injured in fire

In April three children burned to death after being left home alone at their Belize City home. This morning two Dangriga children almost suffered the same fate, but for the quick work of neighbors. The fire started around 10:30 a.m. in the upper portion of a wooden house on Pen Road and reports are it was caused by the elder child, aged four, who was playing with matches. Neighbors including B.D.F. Corporal Balthazar and Richard Cal saw the fire and were able to get it under control before the fire department arrived at the scene. The four year old and a three month old infant received minor injuries and there was some damage to the interior of the home. Dangriga police tell News Five they are investigating the circumstance surrounding the fire and why such young children were home alone. So far no charges have been filed against any family member.

Charges have also yet to be filed against the parents who left their children home alone the night of April 11 when flames engulfed a house on Tibruce Street in Belize City. Three of the four children left in the house died, all were under age five. The children’s grandmother who lived upstairs was unaware the parents had gone out until she heard cries for help. She was unable to get all of the children out since a table had been jammed against the door. Director of Public Prosecutions Adolf Lucas told News Five today that although the children’s deaths occurred almost a month ago his office has yet to receive the case file from the investigating police officers and so no action has been taken against the adults involved.