A Belize City family is burned out of their home

Belize City firemen were among the busiest people in town today, with chores that included hosing down a sporting complex and fighting a disaster on the south side. For the second time this week, a Belize City family is left to pick up the pieces as fire turns their home into rubble. News Five’s Arreini Palacio and cameraman Wilson Pat were returning from an assignment when smoke in the distance alerted them of their next appointment.

It was shortly before midday when the house at number 10 Hibiscus Lane erupted in flames. A neighbor, who was just sitting down to lunch, saw smoke billowing from the burning building and raised the alarm.

Hengist Stuart, Neighbor

“Well all I know I see when smoke was coming out we decide to get to the fire engine people.

They got some guy weh try get in and get some things but ih only coulda save little bit of things by that time the whole house was under blaze already.”

Unlike previous fires, where investigators had to dig through the rubble for clues, Fire Chief Henry Baizar says it is safe to conclude that faulty electrical wiring in the bedroom is to be blamed for causing the fire. By the time fire fighters arrived on the scene, the living room and bedroom had already been consumed by the blaze. The kitchen sustained only smoke and water damage. Arreini Palacio for News Five.

The concrete bungalow house was occupied by Leona Flowers and her family, none of whom were at home at the time of the fire. The building was insured.