Neighborhood fights canal side blaze

In related news, shopping in downtown Belize City came to a halt on Saturday afternoon, as thick smoke filled the air due to a raging fire on West Canal. People who had gathered to watch the fiery scene tried to help the National Fire Service tackle the blaze but there was little anyone could do to save the burning buildings. In the end five families totaling seventeen people were left homeless. According to the National Fire Service although the fire started shortly after one, they did not receive the call until almost one hour later. Fire officials say time was wasted when residents first tried to put out the flames themselves. The fire, which is suspected to have started in one of the rooms in a two storey building, quickly spread throughout the old wooden house before it started licking at two other small houses.

Henry Baizar, Fire Chief

“Well, the entire upper flat of the building was on fire when the two vehicles arrived on the scene. On their arrival at the fire scene, the guys they called us and told us that and then asked for back up. Shortly after, we dispatch two other vehicles and they arrived at the scene shortly afterwards. The firemen responded quite adequately and professionally and within a period of twenty five to thirty five minutes, the fire was under control.”

Q: “Do you all know at this point what may have caused that fire?”

Henry Baizar

“From our investigation, it was revealed that there were several people inside the house and from what we understand, there were some children in one of the rooms playing with matches and it is suspected that they started the fire.”

Q: “Did anybody get hurt?”

Henry Baizar

“Nobody got hurt.”

According to Baizar none of the houses was insured.