Fire Guts Popular Jah Mundo Restaurant and Sports Bar in Corozal

A fire at a popular restaurant and sports bar on the outskirts of Corozal Town has interrupted business for the owner and dining and recreational events for the many ex-pats who frequent the establishment. The blaze happened on Tuesday evening and fire fighters couldn’t do anything to salvage the main structures. But luckily, no one was hurt. Marion Ali travelled to Corozal to capture the details and brings you this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting
A fire in the Finca Solana area of Corozal Town on Tuesday evening completely gutted four of the establishment’s palapas as well as the roof and interior of the main concrete structure. Owner of the popular business, Efrain Phillips told News Five he learned of the fire from neighbours.

Efrain Phillips

Efrain Phillips, Owner, Jah Mundo Restaurant & Sports Bar
“Around 5:15 yesterday evening, I got a call from my neighbours, telling me that my establishment was on fire. I hurried over; by the time I got there, the fire department was already there trying to out the flames, but the main thatch part was already on fire. They couldn’t do much to save anything.”

Fire officials have relayed to Police that the blaze started from faulty wiring inside the main concrete building. The fire happened on the eve of a big private event for which it was engaged. That event has been postponed.

The business was not insured, but Phillips is thankful that no one and none of his pets were injured. And the outpouring of support he has received since the blaze has kept him positive.

Efrain Phillips
“Thank God, I have eight employees and they’re all here today. Everybody is here helping me. I have tremendous support from my friends and my neighbours. We’ve already started the cleanup campaign and everybody is pushing me to not give up. The place wasn’t insured but the credit union – I’m with them, so they are willing to help me out too.”

The recently retired customs officer said even though he’s down, he’s not out. The business will continue to operate, albeit on a significantly scaled down level, until he can rebuild.

Efrain Phillips
“We have another event tomorrow scheduled. People have said they still want to come, so we have another part of the compound that we’re going to use. Thank God one of my kitchens wasn’t burnt down and I can still function from that area, so I plan to continue.”

Altogether, the losses amount to between seventy and a hundred thousand dollars.

Marion Ali For News Five