San Felipe Village Unites after Fire Destroys Four Homes

Four families in San Felipe are picking up the pieces after a fast‑moving fire wiped out their homes and everything inside. The blaze tore through a cluster of thatched houses on Thursday afternoon, destroying clothing, appliances, even important documents, but what it didn’t destroy was the community’s spirit. While police have detained a suspect, residents have already begun rallying together, gathering lumber and supplies to help the families rebuild from scratch. This evening, we hear from San Felipe’s village chairman, Germuel Choco, about the fire and the urgent need for building materials as the community works to recover.

 

On the phone: Germuel Choco, Chairman, San Felipe Village

“On Thursday around three p.m. a neighbor called me. He gave me a distress call. He told me that one of the house already started in engulf in fire.. So rght after that I contacted the fire department, the police department. I even ad my village council and alcaldes and our entire team in the community. What the  neighbor saw is the fire starting on one of the building. There are three houses in that yard and when it destroy the first one that it goes to the other one, and then the third one then from there the fire transit to another neighbor on the other side of the road. So there approximately four houses and that were burned down on that day. It’s very, it’s fortunate that we get assistance of the community and they responded very fast. And we have the BDF, coincidentally, they’re passing so they stop by and they give us a big helping hand. Yes, and that’s so far what I know and what I understand, that there’s a suspect. It can be arson. We also have other people coming out together. Not to help rebuild back their home. We have already started with one and we almost have that completed the home of Francis who is an elder. He is seventy-one years old and he is living with another, with his spouse. She is sixty-one years old. So yes, we are trying our best to work and, to show our support. Because we cannot leave them in this traumatic situation. We have another house that we need to start off with, and we are gathering our natural materials or traditional materials to get started to build another house. This is for Mr. Alexander Cal and this Michelle, and along with her two children.”

 

Those ready to assist with donations are encouraged to contact the San Felipe Village Council.

 

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.

 

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