7 News Belize

Man Burnt By Neighbor Has 50/50 chance
posted (May 18, 2012)
Tonight 57 year old Joseph Usher is in the intensive care unit at the KHMH fighting for his life- after he was allegedly doused with fuel and then lit on fire by a neighbor.

The incident happened around midnight on Sunday in a yard at the corner of Antelope Street and Central American Boulevard. According to Usher's family, they are not quite sure of what took place but from what they understand, Usher was walking through another neighbor's yard to enter his own when he was set on fire.

He suffered severe burns to the head, back, chest, and both arms and was rushed to the KHMH. Today 7news caught up with his distressed sister and daughter.

Jacqueline Usher, sister of burn victim
"I was sleeping when I heard a bang at my door, I said not Joe again. When I came out I saw him burn, he was burned up. He wasn't on fire, the fire had already out. I start screaming and crying, the people on the streets were shouting that someone set him on fire. I tried to call his daughter on the phone but she didn't hear what I was saying because I was crying. I told he to come now."

"The police and ambulance came right away, probably someone on the streets call them. I was praying to God for strength to keep my head together. I open the gate and they came in. The state I was in - they could take an interview from me. They ask me what happened, but I didn't know anything."

Monica Bodden
"You brother didn't say anything to you?"

Jacqueline Usher, sister of burn victim
"No, he was just shouting 'Jackie help me.' That's all he was shouting. The ambulance came and took him."

Josephine Usher, daughter of burn victim
"I received a phone call from my aunt about midnight saying that my dad was seriously burnt and that they are about to take him to the hospital."

"So I call up my mom and sister and gather them up together and we all went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. When we arrive there they told us that we cannot see him because he was in serious condition. They told us that whenever someone get burnt you cannot see them right away because of the nature of the burns - it could cause infection. I spoke to one of the nurse who was kind enough to let me into the room so that I can speak to my dad. I ask him what happened and how this happen to you? He told me that it was an accident. I said how, how could this be an accident? You did this to yourself? he said no. He said that it was the neighbor. I ask him what problem he had with the neighbor for what the neighbor did to him. He said that he was tired and that he will discuss the matter with me later on because he was in a lot of pain and didn't really want to speak about it."

"He told me when he was coming through the fence; he didn't have a key for the gate anymore because he lost the key more than one time and my aunt got tired of it and told him that he would have to jump the fence. When he was coming through this area by the barber shop through the zinc and apparently it was the neighbor from over the next side was waiting for him and he threw some gas or kerosene or whatever and then lit him up. That's his close that was burnt off him; his warm hat and his slippers are there."

"Later on I started to investigate and the neighbors say that this man threaten my father before. I don't know why he was threatened; he (my father) didn't discuss that with me. The next day when I went back to speak to my father at the KHMH, we couldn't see him because he was under some heavy medication that knock him out because of the pain that he was in. They put him to sleep and have the medication work through. When he wakes from there, if he survives, he could more give the story of what happened."

"It was like second degree burns; from his back right up to his neck. His whole hair is burn off."

According to Usher's family, he received second degree burns to 50 percent of his body. Doctors have given him a 50/50 chance of survival. At this time he is at the KHMH intensive care unit in an induced coma. The family also told us that since the incident the police have not contacted them for any statements and the accused neighbor has not been detained. This evening the police press officer told us that they will deal with the matter today.

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