A house on Patridge Street Extension, which was being rented by to Edith Valentine and her family, was completely gutted by an unexpected blaze this afternoon. So, tonight, the family is homeless and relying on the kindness of friends and family.??It happened just after 1:30 this afternoon when the bedroom of the house caught fire and quickly spread. The Fire Department was called in, but by the time they arrived, there was not much they could do to save it. 7 News was there shortly after the fire fighters managed to get the situation under control, and Daniel Ortiz reports:
Daniel Ortiz reporting
At a glance, this elevated house on stilts looked to be structurally stable, but closer observation revealed scorch marks all around, especially near the ceiling.
No one knows how the house caught fire, but minutes later, the entire structure was engulfed in flames. Residents living nearby caught this view of their neighbor's home and all her possessions going up in smoke.
Edith Valentine's mom was emotional for her daughter, knowing very well the value of what they lost, and the difficulties which now lie ahead. Valentine herself managed to put on a brave face.
Edith Valentine - Fire Victim
"I don't know what to say because I was at work."
Daniel Ortiz
"You lost everything?"
Edith Valentine - Fire Victim
"Everything. But God provides you know. That good man provides. Some people may be laughing right now, but their day will come. So I am not worrying about that. God will provide."
That quiet strength will serve her well, but still, losing everything she owned is a heavy burden to bear.
Edith Valentine - Fire Victim
"I work hard sir. I work hard for my things. I work at the Belize Defence Force. I go through a lot, but I want to live a good life. But like I say again, these are material things."
Valentine, her six year-old daughter, and her common-law husband all left the house early. They expected today to be ordinary, and were blindsided by the bad news.
Edith Valentine - Fire Victim
"This morning I left my son there. I don't know where he is right now. My son who is 26 years old doesn't live here. He lives in Mahogany Heights. I left him there and I went to work. I didn't cook or anything today, so only he could tell me what had happened. I personally can't say what happened, because I went to work this morning, my baby went to school, my common-law-husband went to work. So honestly I don't know. We didn't leave on anything, because we didn't do any cooking. Once we are working, no cooking takes place and no electrical is left on, only the refrigerator."
Daniel Ortiz
"I imagine you didn't expect to receive such a call?"
Edith Valentine - Fire Victim
"Exactly. But like what I say, God provides - left everything up to that man."
Daniel Ortiz
"What would you estimate the items, the value you had in that house ma'am?"
Edith Valentine - Fire Victim
"About $20,000.00."
Orin Smith - Station Officer, National Fire Service
"The fire apparently had started or originated in the southwest section of the house or bedroom of the house. What caused the fire at this time is still unknown and the investigation continues."
The immediate family of Edith Valentine lives just across the street from their destroyed home, and they intend to be their support structure of the family victims while they try to recover.
Grizel Robinson - Mother of Fire Victim
"The loss, we will try to get it back. We have our health and strength and she has a mother who stand up to her side and we will pray and God will provide for us."
Daniel Ortiz
"Where are you going to sleep tonight?"
Grizel Robinson - Mother of Fire Victim
"I have my house, this is my house. Even if she sleeps on the floor, my daughter will not be out of door. I will be there for her. I could come off my bed for her to sleep on. She is my daughter. I am the only one she has here, so you don't have to worry about that - she will eat."
Anyone who would like to assist Edith Valentine and her family can contact them at phone numbers 653-0937 or 651-4870.
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