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Fire In The Wire
Fri, April 24, 2015
Last night, we told you about the fire which destroyed a house on Patridge Street Extension. It was being rented by Edith Valentine, and she lost everything in that fire, while her landlord must now rebuild the house.

So, what caused the fire? That's what we asked the fire investigators today, and Station Officer Orin Smith told the press that it is still undetermined. They did however determine that it spread from an electric wire in one of the bedrooms of the house:

Orin Smith, Station Officer, National Fire Service
"On Thursday 23, April 2015 at approximately 1:42pm the National Fire Service received and responded to a call of a structural fire in #1041Partage Street Extension address Belize City. Two units were dispatched to that location. On arrival on scene, we saw a plycem structure approximately 20 by 16 ft. with zinc roofing, elevated approximately 12 ft. off ground fully engulfed in flames. Following a brief size up the fire was later brought under control and extinguished. The plycem structure was gutted as a result of the fire. Investigation revealed that the fire originated on the Northwest bedroom of the structure. There was evidence of starting from an electrical wire hanging from the ceiling above the bed. However, no conclusion has been drawn as to what started the fire. The structure is owned by a Lavern Steven and was occupied by a family of three which includes a minor. The structure was not insured, estimated loss of the cost of the structure is unknown. Estimated loss of the contents is estimated at $20,000."

Valentine and her family are currently staying at her mother's house just across the street.

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