7 News Belize

Arson On Periwinkle St.?
posted (October 3, 2013)
There was a fire in Belize City today on Ring Road in the Lake Independence area. It was a relatively small blaze, quite easily contained. But the story is, first, that one of the residents, a female did get hospitalized for burns, and, second, that the property owner is accusing her of setting the fire. Monica Bodden has the story:..

Monica Bodden reporting
The wooden bungalow house went up in flames a little after 12 this afternoon - but was quickly put out by the swift response of the fire department.

House owner is 84 year old Morris Taylor- who was at work at the time of the fire. When he arrived at his home this afternoon, everything was destroyed by the flames.

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"They came at my work to tell me that the house is burning down."

All investigations are pointing to arson and police are investigating a woman identified as Richardeen McKay who was rescued from inside the house at the time of the fire. Mckay was living with Taylor as his house helper but suffers from a mental condition.

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"The girl that I left in the house was there to take out her clothes and take them. She didn't have any keys for the house. I told her when she is leaving to lock the doors because I had to go and I went and leave her there. When I arrive at my work I got this report that she burn down the house."

Monica Bodden
"You strongly believe that it was arson? You strongly believe that your house was purposely lit?"

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"She did it already and I even took the lighter that I use to light the stove and I told her not to cook anything here. I told her to go about her business because I told her to leave the house."

Monica Bodden
"How recently did she attempt to burn down the house?"

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"In this same week."

Cheyenne Ireland - Granddaughter of Fire Victim
"The past that pissed me off the most is that I came on Friday to tell this young lady that she needs to go. You know why, because she had tried to burn down the house already. My cousin gentleman had to come and help out the fire. She actually took the lighter and lit the house."

"The neighbor came out and saw smoke and that's how they know that she was trying to light the house on fire."

"When I came and knock on the door she didn't open the door. I pretend like I was leaving, but I stood right here and saw her push open the window. I told her to listen to me keenly, if you burn this house down, you will be in serious trouble because I will take a charge for you and I am going to jail, so don't burn it down. You tried it once, you could try it again. I meant what I said, I swear."

"She said that she understood. I told her that she isn't crazy, she is only playing crazy. I see what she does and not do. She went easily."

"Now as I was working in my shop I saw smoke in the air."

Morris Taylor is an old school musician who has played in some of the biggest bands back in the days; Bands such as Treasury Harmony and Junior Swingers. His clarinet of more than 50 years old - is one of the many valuables he has lost in the fire.

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"I dont know where I will stay because I don't have any place to stay."

Monica Bodden
"I understand that you used to be a musician. All your musical instruments got destroyed?"

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"Yes, everything."

Monica Bodden
"You used to play with what band?"

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"I played in many bands - from way back."

Monica Bodden
"What was the instrument you played?"

Morris Taylor - Fire Victim
"Double bass with string bass. All of that had burned up in the house. The clarinet instrument gone in the fire also."

Cheyenne Ireland - Granddaughter of Fire Victim
"When I look I saw the smoke. When I gauge where it was coming from I said Jesus Christ that is my house. I ran out of the shop and back in the shop to lock up the shop. And so when I came and saw this, she meant she was going to do this."

Monica Bodden
"I understand that you spoke to the gentleman who manages to knock the door in for the young lady to come out - she was inside trapped or something?"

Cheyenne Ireland - Granddaughter of Fire Victim
"Yes, I thank the young man for stomping the door and got her out, even though she did something that I didn't like, I thank the young man because if it was somebody else who didn't care - she would have died inside the house. You have good neighbors - you can't condemn good neighbors. I have to thank the young man for saving her life."

"If the gas tank exploded, my house would have gotten burn down also. But by the Grace of the Father, he knows it's only this I have, that's why my house wasn't touch because this fire was big. His house is all gone. The picture of Jesus was saved in the book, you know why? Because the man is powerful and he is bless."

If you would like to assist Morris Taylor you can call 6-2-0-1-1-7-3.

Richardeen Mckay remains hospitalized.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize