Father Mourns Loss of Four-Year-Old Daughter in House Fire

Tragedy struck early this morning on Arlington Drive in Belize City, when a fire tore through a two-story home and claimed the life of four-year-old Kyra Bennett. At the time of the fire, both her mother and grandfather tried desperately to save her, but the flames spread too quickly. Her father, Kyron Bennett, who was away at work, says he received the devastating call around five o’clock in the morning. He described his little girl as his drive and his reason to keep going in life. Today, the family and community are left heartbroken, mourning the loss of a child whose life had only just begun.

 

Kyron Bennett, Father of Deceased

“I come from a good home, but I used to love the street too, and when my baby was born that made me open my camera business. It really made me see a lot that I needed, my true potential within myself. My baby show me that. And with me and she that’s why we have that bond because she needed me and I needed her. I needed her more than she needed me.”

 

Zenida Lanza, Reporting

Kyron Bennett, a camera technician, was away from home early this morning when he received a chilling call. His house was on fire, and his family was desperately trying to save his baby girl. Just four years old, Kyra Bennett had only recently begun her second year at St. Martin’s Preschool.

 

Kyron Bennett

“Even the grandpa, her mom, everybody was trying their best, but, you know, obviously the fire start too fast. Because this house is like a older house, you know. So I guess that’s the main reason why it blazed up so fast. But from what I received, the information that the fire station took their nice time and then they came to out the fire after a long fact. So all that play a role in the reason why our house looks this way. So right now I just confused. I just come from far. I just confused. I get answers, right? But I didn’t get the answer that will make me feel good. That’s my everything. She is my world.”

 

One neighbor said they woke to the smell of smoke and the sight of flames. She described the grandfather, Winston Bennett, as a kind and friendly man, and remembered little Kyra often coming over to play with her grandson, calling her “grandma.” She recounts the terrifying moment she realized their house was on fire.

 

Voice of: Neighbor 1

“When I rolled on my bed to turn on my side, I smelled the thing. And when I smelt the smoke, I just jumped up and when I opened the window, the whole place was on fire….And then I heard somebody scream. I saw the fire. The see the fire like the orange color come through the door. It come. The fire like soot. I nearly fell down in my house. I went to sit down. I couldn’t. You know, shock.”

 

Winston Bennett lived on the first floor of the two-story home, while his son’s partner, Jowel Guerra, and baby Kyra were asleep upstairs. When the fire broke out, their next-door neighbor quickly called emergency services, but by the time help arrived, it was already too late.

 

Voice of: Neighbor 2

“I called 911 and my hand was trembling because I got frightened. I nervous, I come outside and I see the fire and I say, how fire engine haven’t come yet. Fire engine take like a whole hour, because it was like four-thirty and they come five o’clock. That’s totally wrong. The house is already on fire and the baby burn up. Man, it’s so sad. It’s really, really sad. Really sad. And when the fire engine finally came, they come without water. Come without water. How will you come without water, and the house is on fire? We call you because of emergency. We need the fire engine to come out the fire. Nobody couldn’t go save the baby.”

 

The Ministry of Disaster Risk Management has extended its condolences to the Bennett family. And while the community mourns this tragic loss, those who wish to help can contact Kyron Bennett on WhatsApp at 654-9171. We have also reached out to the fire department regarding the cause of the fire, but none has been determined as yet. Reporting for News Five, I’m Zenida Lanza.