Thirteen Homes Lost as Flames Sweep San Pedro Columbia

A fast-moving fire tore through San Pedro Columbia in the Toledo District, destroying thirteen thatch houses and leaving around ten families without a home. The blaze started in a kitchen belonging to one of the local churches before strong winds carried the flames from structure to structure across roughly a quarter mile. Village Chairman Abner Cal told News Five that community members acted quickly to contain the fire, positioning themselves at various points to water down the surrounding area and prevent further spread.

 

On the Phone: Abner Cal, Chairman, San Pedro Columbia

“At the moment the fire has been contained with the help of the villagers. It just spread rapidly. But it’s contained now. It’s still windy, but we community members at each area watering to contain the spread.”

 

Zenida Lanza

“And About how many structures caught fire?”

 

Abner Cal

“At the moment, we count around thirteen.”

 

Zenida Lanza

“Do you guys know the source of the fires?”

 

Abner Cal

“Yes, it started on a kitchen that belongs to one of the churches here.”

 

Zenida Lanza

“Is it neighboring houses next to each other that lit on fire?

 

Abner Cal

“From the first house to the last house, its probably a quarter mile. Due to the wind, heavy wind its just blew and dropped into the others, cause these are thatch houses. So it just spread. Whatever assistance we can get to support these people, our community members, it would be greatly appreciated. They could contact me at my number 625-0099. And it would be greatly appreciated so that we try to could rebuild back the homes of these victims.”

 

The fire has since been contained, though Cal says the affected families are in urgent need of assistance.

 

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: