Emergency Response Launched After Columbia Village Blaze

A fast-moving fire ripped through San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District, on Tuesday afternoon, leaving several families homeless. The blaze started in the kitchen of a local church and quickly spread, torching thatch houses, personal belongings and years of hard work. By the time the flames were out, more than a dozen homes and buildings were destroyed or damaged, with losses estimated at over fifty thousand dollars. Among those affected were a pastor, a farmer, an elderly woman, a young mother and a police officer. No injuries were reported. Firefighters, supported by the Belize Defense Force and Police Department, eventually contained the fire. The cause remains under investigation. By Wednesday morning, help was already on the way. Indian Creek Chairman Domingo Choc, along with council members and volunteers, arrived to assist with cleanup as donations began reaching affected families.

 

Domingo Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek

“That’s what we’ve been doing this morning, helping out these families. I have council members and community members as well along with me helping these people cleaning up and etcetera, you know. After a massive fire that destroyed over a dozen [houses] yesterday, so the council met, then we came to this assistance. It’s very sad. They lost everything. So its so sad to see these families and as I mentioned that’s the way how we could help each other. We don’t know when ours is going to be. Might be for them today, and for we tomorrow. And so that’s why we are trying our best to help as much as we can. That’s why we are here right now delivering the donation.”

 

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, C.E.O. Ministry of Home Affairs

“It’s a very sad situation where individuals’ livelihoods would be destroyed, to the estent of their housing. So it’s a huge loss for the community. I’m glad to see the response from the government services. The Belize Defence Force and the Belize Police Department. The police was able to muster I believe up to forty-something personnels to respond to that and the fire services was very active.”

 

None of the destroyed structures were insured, and for the families of Columbia Village, rebuilding will not be easy. Anyone wishing to assist is encouraged to reach out to community leaders in the Toledo District.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: