Today, a brand-new firetruck touched down at Philip Goldson International Airport, arriving via military cargo plane. This vital piece of equipment is headed to the Punta Gorda fire station to serve the Toledo District. The generous donation comes from the Racine Rotary Club of Wisconsin, which also provided several pallets of medical, school, and emergency supplies. We caught up with Olive Woodye, President of the Punta Gorda Rotary Club, for more details on this impactful contribution.
Olive Woodye
Olive Woodye, President, Punta Gorda Rotary Club
“ We are receiving a firetruck today for the Toledo District and this was made possible through the Racine Rotary Club of Wisconsin. They have been donating a lot to our community and over the past four years, they we have gotten like they’ve been doing a lot of CPR training in different departments in the Toledo district and also with teachers. Now this is their fourth year of a ten year commitment for the Toledo district.”
Britney Gordon
”Is this a much-needed donation?”
Olive Woodye
“It is a much needed donation. I don’t know if you recall last year, about the fires, that raged through the forest, through our rural areas. And so we have presently, I think one fire truck and this one coming in will, it’ll deeply enhance our district. The firemen can, I think they will better be equipped to be out there. This is our fourth year of a ten year commitment to the Toledo District.”
Britney Gordon
“So we can expect more donations to come from them?”
Olive Woodye
“Definitely. Definitely. And we thank them so much. I think it’s like a combination of different resources from different areas in Wisconsin.”
The wooden structure was small, measuring just fifteen-by-ten feet, but losing hisfriend is what really hurts Smith. He shared that Hamilton was always willing to run errands for anyone in the village. Now, the community is planning a candlelight vigil for Tuesday night to honor him. Smith is also appealing for water bowsers to be placed in villages prone to bush fires. This idea is currently being considered by the National Fire Service Belize District Station Officer, Gladstone Bucknor.
Godwin Smith, Friend of Deceased
“This is a major loss. This is hurtful. But like I say, I send message to the village of them and I ask them to please “Whenever, when a light a fire, unu try to protect it, because no use of saying dehn da bush fire and da fire weh people light. I ask – mek wa appeal to the village council and say, for five years I di lobby, at least we could get wa water truck go at the police station. At least when we call the police, they got some kind of equipment fi help wi because the distance ah weh the fire truck deh, when they come, with dehn kinda leaf ya the place done burn down, but if you have a water bowser, the police could save life and house.”
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize District
“The guy went out, they were outing bushfires at the time. He was fatigued, he went inside and he was sleeping and we don’t – well, the investigator hasn’t come back and said, “Yes, that the fire actually run towards the building and started the fire. The department along with the Ministry they’re looking into putting in fire stations throughout the villages, particularly Hattieville and probably through Boom area. They’re looking at that. I haven’t confirmed us yet, but that’s one of the main areas they’re looking at. Bushfires actually cause a lot of damage, especially – you can remember the one in PG just by bushfire alone, cause so many damages.”
Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed three businesses in San Pedro on Tuesday night. The blaze was first seen around nine o’clock, coming from Brunolitos near the park on Front Street. The Belize National Fire Service hasn’t released official details yet, but News Five spoke with two people who helped out. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
A fire destroyed three businesses in San Pedro on Tuesday night. The blaze started at Brunolitos and quickly spread to two neighboring businesses. Coast Guard Acting Commandant, Lieutenant Alma Pinelo, was one of the first responders and joined the bucket brigade when the fire truck faced difficulties.
On the Phone: Lt. Alma Pinelo, First Responder
“A traffic officer, I don’t know his name, he was the one that told us to start getting a line together. And you know, as San Pedranos, we know what that means. We didn’t have enough buckets at the time. Ambergris Today had put on their live, you know, if anybody has any buckets, please bring it to Front Street. They shared a picture, that picture went viral for us to get buckets. And then we went from having four buckets to having about 20 buckets within less than 20 minutes. Some of us got out of the line, myself included, and we started ferrying the empty buckets from the beginning of the line to the sea, and there was about four, six men in the water filling the buckets with water. And then we would just bring the buckets back and forth until we did that easily for over an hour.”
Island Emergency Services, owned by Abner Bacab, rushed to support the firefighters by supplying oxygen. Bacab shared with us how his team stepped in to help.
Abner Bacab
Abner Bacab, First Responder
“A lot of the times, the firefighters, you know, as an emergency move fast to try to get to the area or location of the fire, combatting the fire. Sometimes, you don’t have time to get ready. They arrive very fast at the scene, so sometimes, they run out of air that they used to breathe. But I know that in couple instances they would breathe in the smoke or the carbon monoxide that is produced from the smoke. So, after combating the fire – the most important thing is to combat the fire and try to contain it and stop it, you know, so sometimes, they would breathe a lot of smoke and that affects them in many ways. It can affect your nervous system, it can affect your brain cells, all of these things because you are low on oxygen. Definitely, after I was there for a little bit helping trying to get some stuff salvaged from a couple of business friends that I know that have businesses there.”
Bacab and Pinelo both agree that the island’s fire service needs an upgrade. They also think more hydrants are needed on the tourist island.
Abner Bacab
“Maybe like a month of two, we had a lot of problems within the fire department where the firefighters were complaining of the working environments: the equipment, the tools that they needed to do their work, you know, so most of it they had said was use the equipment they had got. At least it’s something, but it’s not the best equipment for our firefighters. As we know, this has been a problem for a long time now. We should see the need for better equipment and for B.W.S. to do maybe some fire hydrants or something to where when you run out of water that the fire truck could easily hook onto and then you have a source of water, or even if it’s just something to go out to the sea, something.”
Another abandoned building in Belize City has gone up in flames, leaving two families without homes. Just last week, Belize District Station Officer Gladstone Bucknor warned the public about the dangers these abandoned structures pose. He explained that squatters often occupy these buildings and engage in risky activities that can lead to fires. Early Sunday morning, an abandoned building on Hunter’s Lane caught fire, partially destroying a neighboring home. We spoke with Gladstone Bucknor and a resident of Hunter’s Lane to get more details on this incident.
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, National Fire Service
“Approximately two thirty-five, our fire department received a call about a structural fire. Both stations responded, and three trucks arrived at the scene. When they arrived at the scene, they noticed that they observed that the front structure, a two-story building, was totally engulfed in flames. And spreading to the second building, first floor.”
Reporter
“Abandoned building?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“Yes. The first building appears to be abandoned. However, it’s still under investigation because it seemed that we had some squatters who were actually staying there.”
Reporter
“So like the other abundant place you believe that the persons were staying might have done something to cause the fire?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“As far as our investigation is going. yes. Some type of heat had to be produced at the location where the fire originated from.”
Britney Gordon
“Were any of the surrounding buildings damaged as well?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“Yes. The second structure at number ten Hunter’s Lane received the first floor, completely destroyed and the ground floor, it’s an apartment building divided into two sections two families actually. And the ground floor actually receive a lot of heat and water damages.”
Joan Lightburn
Joan Lightburn, Witness
“The house was abandoned over there. It was right opposite us, the house. And it, as I say we just, I just felt the heat because then, the glaucoma I wasn’t seeing.”
Britney Gordon
“But you felt the intensity, so you think it was a big fire?”
Joan Lightburn
“I is because it burned, look, it burns from there go way down.”
Britney Gordon
“Was your hose damaged any at all to your knowledge?”
Joan Lightburn
“No. No. I thank God that the breeze wasn’t blowing, so it was going that way. That’s why they say the whole of over there burn the first, the house that was right in front of us when you walk and go right over there that the white house, that burn, right down.”
Late last month, a house on Banak Street was destroyed by a fire, leaving one woman without any possessions to her name. The owner of the house, Shana Tillet, suspects that the fire may have been started by her mentally ill nephew, however, the source of the fire remains under investigation. We asked Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, for an update on the incident. Here’s more on that.
Reporter
“For the Banak Street fire and with the person who was arrested, did you guys assert a cause? Like, how did he start the fire?”
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, National Fire Service
“We didn’t get to speak to the person at Banak Street. We were still hoping to see that we could actually interview him.”
Reporter
“Is he still in police detention?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“I’m not sure about that one as yet.”
Reporter
“But you received reports that he was mentally challenged?”
Gladstone Bucknor
Yes. He was mentally challenged. Yes.”
Shana Tillett, Homeowner
“ I was at work and I came home because they call and said fire. The house burn down. So when I reached the whole ah this burn down, the whole ah that di look fi go and round deh. But my nephew was upstairs. He not supposed to be up there. He kind of crazy. He stay up here. But I noh know when ih mi di do ova deh and da that up there it start from. Look like ih smoke ih cigarette and ih throw it and ih burn the place. And my daughter lived downstairs, di sleep and neem know the whole top the burn down and she deh downstairs.”
A wooden building went up in flames around 8:30 PM on Tuesday night in Belama Phase Four. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but fire officials are worried that this fire, like others recently, could have been deadly for nearby homes. Station Supervisor Gladstone Bucknor from the National Fire Service told reporters that the property, although owned, had been abandoned for months and was likely being used by drug addicts for illegal activities. He believes the National Fire Service should team up with the Belize City Council to demolish abandoned and rundown buildings that pose a danger to the community.
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, National Fire Service
“We received a call of a structural fire in Belama Phase Four. Both of our stations responded to that location. On their arrival, they witnessed a wooden structure engulfed in flames, so they got into operation and knocked it down very quickly I might say. What caused it is not determined at this moment. We know it started at the western side of the building and there was no electricity. There were no utilities at the building. The building was abandoned. No one lived there for the past months from last year November. I guess that we need to work more in hand with the council so we could try and look at these abandoned structures and try get them torn down or get them sorted out.”
Marion Ali Because going on trends, what has been the cause of these fires?
Gladstone Bucknor
“Well, normally people will actually occupy the building. A random person will pass through the building. So, you got drug addicts, and these buildings are known for criminal activities. When I say we need to work closely, should in the event that our abandoned building is next to an occupied building, just imagine that building catches fire – the abandoned building – and you have other buildings next door to it. I mean, people will burn out of their homes.”
Bucknor also cautioned about the dangers of using fire improperly as the hot summer months approach. He highlighted that bush fires can pose serious threats to farms, rural homes, and wildlife. Bucknor reminded farmers that they need to inform the relevant authorities before burning their fields to prevent any potential disasters.
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, National Fire Service
“When it comes to bottles, please dispose of the bottles properly because remember, with the sun and bottles, it can cause fires. And people who have their farms, please do the fire path. The fire path is very important and when they do burn, please notify the Department of Environment and different authorities that needs to be informed so that they can go and check that you have made your fire path properly.”
Marion Ali
“And what about lit cigarettes?
Gladstone Bucknor
“Cigarette smokers, they must be aware that in dry season it is very dangerous, even in a home when you’re sleeping, it’s very dangerous. Dispose of it properly.”
Efforts are in full swing to rebuild the historic Queen Street Baptist Church, which played a significant role in Belize’s history. Tragically, the church was destroyed by a fire on the morning of February 21st. Rebuilding won’t be easy, though, as the estimated cost for a new concrete structure is over two million dollars. Despite this setback, the school has adapted to continuing its daily operations without the space they once had for their feeding program and reading classes. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Five weeks after a fire destroyed the historic Queen Street Baptist Church on Eve Street, church services have been moved to one of the school’s classrooms. This arrangement might continue for quite some time, as the cost to rebuild the church is a hefty two point two million dollars.
Lloyd Stanford
Lloyd Stanford, Pastor, Queen Street Baptist Church
“We have a classroom right in the lower flat of the school and we turned it into a makeshift church and we’re having wonderful attendance and fellowship there. Last Sunday we had about fifty people in that little classroom. In my original release I gave an approximate cost of two point two million dollars. And that is looked at and we get into the actual estimate and plans and so forth, we will see how that will play out. The suggestion that we have right now is that we rebuild as it was but with some modern changes and so forth. That work is ongoing as we work on drawing up a plan.”
The plan is to rebuild the new church just like the old one, but with a lift for easier access for people with mobility challenges. However, they might need to cut costs if necessary. Pastor Lloyd Stanford has reached out to his congregation and the wider community for help with fundraising and donations for a block drive. He knows it’s going to be a slow process and will likely happen in phases.
Lloyd Stanford
“What the membership looked at when we met with the board of trustees, it will be as it was. That’s what it is right now. When we look at it, there might be some adjustments to it, where we have the classrooms on the lower flat and the church on the upper flat.”
Marion Ali
“How close are you to the two point two million dollars?
Lloyd Stanford
“We are very far; we’re very far. We’re in the making of all of this. We have a letter that we circulated across the world and people are encouraged to make a deposit to the bank that is in that letter and people are doing that.”
Steve Ozaeta has taught at Queen Street Baptist School for the past twenty years. He mentioned that the fire deeply saddened many of the students, but now they’ve bounced back.
Steve Ozaeta
Steve Ozaeta, Teacher, Queen Street Baptist Church
“It did affect them emotionally. I’m sure it affects them physically as well.”
The students have now moved their reading room to an upstairs classroom in the school building. The feeding program is also running from the same building.
Steve Ozaeta
“We have made a makeshift kitchen in one of the classrooms by putting a partition so we have the stove and refrigerator in there and the cook is cooking some of the best that Queen Street Baptist can offer.”
Besides the damage to the school’s furniture and interior, Ozaeta also lost some personal items he kept there for the kids’ benefit. He’s now asking for help to replace those appliances. Additionally, there’s a need for a teacher’s bathroom.
Steve Ozaeta
“I lost a lot of personal things that I used in my classroom such as my water cooler which is essential for the kids when it gets hot. I lost an inkjet printer. I provided all the children’s headphones so they could plug into the computers so they could listen to the sounds for reading. I would love if somebody could assist me with the headphones. For the bathroom the teachers are using the children’s bathroom so the children’s bathroom is for everybody.”
Ozaeta extends his heartfelt thanks to the Central Bank of Belize and Cellular World for their generous donations of several computers and the equipment needed to clean up the soot left after the fire. Marion Ali for News Five.
All that’s left of the building that once stood at the corner of Castle and Victoria streets in Belize City is a pile of ash after an early morning fire. Authorities say the two-story wooden structure was abandoned and didn’t have electricity. Thankfully, the National Fire Service responded quickly and managed to contain the blaze. Belize District Station Officer Gladstone Bucknor reported that no injuries were observed, but the investigation is still ongoing. Here’s more on that.
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize District
“Approximately about five fifty this morning, the National Fire Service received call about a structural fire at the corner of Castle and Victoria Street when the guys did arrive both stations responded to that scene. They saw a large house fire. When large, I mean it’s a two-story structure, wooden structure in roofing. That building is an abandoned building and didn’t have electricity, let me make that clear. Didn’t have electricity at it, so the fire had to be started from inside and brought to the inside.”
Reporter
“What do you believe started the fire?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“At this moment we cannot see what actually started the fire, but however, some type of heat had to be introduced into the area.”
Reporter
“Do you believe that while it was abandoned there were maybe people, is there an evidence of people staying or doing something in there?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“Alright, from our preliminary investigation, what we discovered was that they do have squatters in and out of the building. And one main person that was frequently at this, at the house was somebody by the name of Harold. Name as full name and detail as there, we don’t know the full name. We have conflicting information that yes, he was there and no he wasn’t there. So we still looking into it. Actually, part of the investigation, we learned that some kind of heat was injured last night between nine and nine and eleven. So we’re still doing an investigation on.”
Reporter
“You wanted to speak about the issue of these abandoned lots and the, to the council, not, taking care of that.”
Gladstone Bucknor
“Yes. Within that area we have a lot of abandoned building. Some are neglected and used for criminal. And we have this abandoned building like this around the neighborhood. It pose a fire hazard to the rest of the community, especially to other buildings as well. Because anything do occur. Imagine somebody lost their building due to an abandoned building.”
What started as a joyous birthday celebration turned into a nightmare for one woman when the lit candle on her cake set her bed on fire, destroying all her belongings. The incident happened on Sunday morning in the room she occupies on the lower flat of her family home on Fairweather Street. Fortunately, the family of seven still has most of their home intact, except for two bedrooms that will need repairs. News Five’s Marion Ali has the full story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The thick smoke billowing from the residence on Fairweather Street just before eleven on Sunday morning had an unexpected origin, a birthday cake. Astajah Smith had lit a candle on her cake in her bedroom and turned around to snap some pictures. But things quickly took a turn for the worse, as her sister Rackiesha Gregory explained to News Five.
Voice of: Rackiesha Gregory
Voice of: Rackiesha Gregory, Sister of Fire Victim
“Ih mi done light the cake, but ih mi about for tek pictures and within a split second, by the time she turn fi reach fi her phone from wherever it was and she turn back, she realize the candle for some reason flip over pon the bed and the mattress start ketch fire.”
According to Gregory, when Astajah realized she couldn’t put out the rapidly spreading fire by herself, she quickly alerted her family upstairs. Within minutes, helpful neighbors jumped into action to assist.
Voice of: Rackiesha Gregory
“By the time we came downstairs, we saw the flames coming through the window, you hear the wires popping up, her electronics and stuff like that and we yell for help and fortunately the neighbors were with us. Everyone came out, they came out with buckets and hoses. We have the neighbor across the street, her son was right in the front here. Her son constantly called until he got the fire pump. And they came really quickly and that’s how the fire was contained.”
Firefighters were just minutes away, which made all the difference, according to Gladstone Bucknor, the Belize District’s Station Supervisor. Their quick response helped contain the situation before it got even worse.
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Supervisor, National Fire Service
“Seeing that it’s right across the bridge, they responded very quickly. Bear in mind, it’s a wooden structure, two-story, and only one just a portion of the room got damaged downstairs, that’s really quick.”
Reporter
“ So it could have gotten worse?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“It could have gotten far worse than what it did. It’s a two-story wooden structure, only one room in that area, 16 by 10, got slightly damaged, not completely damaged. It all occurred due to the young lady’s birthday, Ms. Smith’s birthday, and she was having her birthday cake and the fan accidentally knocked down the cake with the candle on top.”
Although the family didn’t get to celebrate the birthday or enjoy the cake, they’re grateful that all seven of them, including two children, are safe and still have their home.
Voice of: Rackiesha Gregory
“It was supposed to be a birthday celebration, but we’re thankful that we’re all alive and no one was hurt. And, yes, it’s material stuff. But It’ll take a while to get it back, but we’re grateful that we’re all alive.”
Gregory says the family can always rebuild, but they will need a little help.
Voice of: Rackiesha Gregory
“By the grace of God, if we receive help and the family comes together and pull through. ’cause once we get materials, you know, we can go from there. ’cause my dad’s field of work is construction and my husband could always assist him.”
