In many ways, it seems like a slow motion replay of early October in the year 2000. At that time the northern third of Belize, still reeling from the onslaught of Hurricane Keith’s wind and rain, could only stand by and watch as its two main water sources, the New River and Rio Hondo, spilled […]
The more we in Belize are forced to learn about tropical weather, the more we realise what an inexact science the practice of meteorology is. With the widespread flooding following Keith and now Chantal we are gaining a greater appreciation for the nature of the nation’s many watersheds…and why a shift of only a few […]
Tropical storm Chantal, the wannabe hurricane that just couldn’t seem to get organised, passed over northern Ambergris Caye and the Corozal District last night. But before finally drifting off towards the Gulf of Mexico, Chantal, with winds reaching seventy miles per hour, packed just enough of a punch to remind Corozalenos that they are no […]
In related news, eleven people attempting to flee Chantal found themselves in the thick of it last night after the boats they were travelling in got lost between San Pedro and Corozal. Reports are still sketchy, but apparently two Mexican skiffs carrying eleven people left San Pedro around 10:30 Monday morning. The vessels lost their […]
Operations at the Philip Goldson International Airport were interrupted for a short period of time this morning as a small fire started in front of the terminal building. Lindford Rosado, the Manager of Finance and Administration at the Belize Airports Authority, says B.E.L. employees were at the airport working on a transformer when their welding […]
The stage was set for a major tragedy, but good fortune intervened. Ann-Marie Williams reports on a fire that could have produced mass fatalities. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting Two houses situated on North Creek in the Port Loyola Area of the city were totally destroyed by fire last night. Assistant Fire Chief Norris Fisher says they […]
Fifty-six year old George Domingo had to be treated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital following a fire that engulfed the roof of his daughter’s house at the corner of Tibruce and Mango Streets in Lake Independence. Fire officials told News Five that Domingo, who is reported to have high blood pressure, had an attack […]
It has educated several generations of Burrell Boom residents, but overnight that village’s only primary school was hit by fire. When the flames died down a building and its contents belonging to the Methodist school lay in ruins. The blaze erupted around midnight and according to the PTA’s public relations officer, Brad Pattico, it appears […]
A cargo ship lies aground at the entrance to the Belize City Harbour and at newstime efforts to free it have proven unsuccessful. The Atlantis, a ship belonging to the Hybur Line out of Miami, ran up on the shallows off English Caye at around four Monday morning. The captain reported a steering malfunction as […]
When a fire wakes you up from a deep sleep, the last thing you’d expect is some clearheaded thinking. But fortunately it was just such coolness under pressure that allowed one Belize City woman to escape the flames and bring a friend to safety as well. Timmary Requena, Fire Victim “He couldn’t help himself at […]
A fire in the kitchen is the kind of catastrophe that does not discriminate between rich and poor, home or commercial establishment. On Saturday night a kitchen fire struck at one of the city’s most prestigious eateries–Chef Bob’s Bar and Grill at the Barracks–and while the Fire Department came to the rescue, the incident demonstrated […]
With the opening of a new hurricane season, there is an emphasis like never before on being prepared. News 5’s Jose Sanchez reports on the latest efforts at making sure that our next disaster is dealt with calmly and efficiently. Jose Sanchez, Reporting After the wind, rains and flooding of last year’s hurricane, organisations like […]
It’s that time of year again, so get hold of some fresh batteries for the radio, stock up or your favourite tinned food and make sure there are enough rubber boots to go around. Jose Sanchez reports on the opening of hurricane season. Jose Sanchez, Reporting Although we may just be recovering from Keith, Chief […]
A familiar landmark on the Western Highway has been destroyed by fire. The sawmill, which has operated for a number of years at mile forty-six on the outskirts of Belmopan, burned to the ground on Tuesday night. Only a caretaker was on the premises at the time and he reports that while eating supper between […]
Officials in the Forest Department report that fires which threatened to devastate much of the Mountain Pine Ridge have been largely brought under control. This does not mean that they are no longer burning, but the spread has been contained and the areas still smoking–in this case near Devil’s Drive–are being monitored. Forest officers have […]
It has not been a good year for the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Once the pride of Belize’s natural attractions, the area first fell victim to a devastating plague of bark beetles which promised to kill the vast majority of its trees. Now, just as timber salvage operations were reaching high gear, fast moving […]
An eighty-two year old grandmother and three grandchildren are homeless after a fire on Saturday gutted their house on West Street in Belize City. Doris Adolphus declined to appear on camera, but did describe the tragic events of that morning. Doris Adolphus, Fire Victim “I was washing upstairs in my bathroom, using the washing machine. […]
In a strange set of coincidences, Cayo’s Mopan River proved to be the final resting-place for three accident victims in three separate incidents over the weekend. On Friday afternoon a Canadian tourist, fifty year old John Raycroft, drowned while tubing near Clarissa Falls. He apparently became separated from his inner tube in the rapids. His […]
Outside St. Ignatius Church a community came out in large numbers to express its sympathy as funeral services for all seven children who perished in Monday night’s fire were held. Three coffins carried the remains of thirteen year-old Leticia Vasquez, ten year-old Maria, Marika eight, Christina six, Keisha four, Loretta two and nine-month old baby […]
It was the most tragic fire since a mother and six daughters died on Racecourse Street way back in 1964. But Monday night’s deadly blaze did not take place in the crowded confines of the old capital’s ancient neighbourhoods. This disaster struck in the upwardly mobile suburb of Belama. News 5 was on the scene […]
It had all the ingredients of a disaster of epic proportions: dry weather, strong breezes and old wooden buildings in a congested part of town. But instead of a citywide inferno, today’s fire on Belize City’s south side was contained to four houses. Ann-Marie Williams was on the spot. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting A mid-morning fire […]
There have been no reports of any injuries to Belizeans as a result of the earthquake, which devastated El Salvador on Saturday. The quake, which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale, was centered off the nation’s Pacific coast, but caused extensive damage outside the capital of San Salvador. Reports are still sketchy, but according to […]
For those who want to render assistance to the victims of the El Salvador disaster, the newly opened Alliance Bank, along with its related companies, has opened a relief fund. The group got the ball rolling with a two thousand dollar contribution and has invited all those who wish to aid the people and government […]
In a wake of several catastrophic incidents, regulations have recently been enacted which ban on site filling of portable butane cylinders… but the law still allows gas trucks to fill large fixed commercial tanks. It was one such operation that shocked a crowded neighbourhood this morning near downtown Belize City. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting Two Belize […]
An early morning fire burned flat to the ground an abandoned two-storey house at number forty-eight East Canal in Belize City. An eyewitness who didn’t want to appear on camera said she heard a loud explosion around 4:30 this morning and saw flames bursting from the windows of the house. The northern section of a […]
