7 News Belize

UDP Candidate Ralph Huang’s Divisional Office Burned Down
posted (October 23, 2015)
Ralph Huang - he's the UDP candidate for Cayo South - and up until recently he had been an obscure part in the UDP's vast campaign machine. But earlier this week he burst unto national headlines when 7News confronted him about a Guatemalan nationality document bearing his name. And tonight he's back in the headlines because his headquarters in Camalote Village was burnt down early this morning. Neighbors tell us it happened after midnight - and two suspicious men were seen in the area. The wooden building was valued at $24,500 dollars and police are calling it arson. Today we spoke to Orin Smith, the station manager for the Belize National Fire Services about it:...

Orin Smith, Station Mgr. Belize National Fire Service
"On Thursday October 22, 2015 at approximately 11:59pm, the Belmopan branch of the national fire service receive and responded to a call of a structural fire in the village of Camalote, Cayo District. On arrival on scene the wooden structure approximately 3 feet off the ground was engulf in flames. The fire was later brought under control and extinguished. Preliminary investigations reveal that the fire originated on the verandah of the structure. Information received is that the structure was being utilized as an office for UDP area representative Mr. Huang."

Daniel Ortiz
"Can you describe for us the efforts you all made in trying to save the house? What was the nature of the flames? Was it already engulfed the entire structure?"

Orin Smith, Station Mgr. Belize National Fire Service
"Pretty much. The entire structure was pretty much engulfed. One tank of water was basically used to extinguish the fire."

Daniel Ortiz
"At this time what is your investigation showing? Was this a natural fire or was this as you fire experts put it an incendiary fire?"

Orin Smith, Station Mgr. Belize National Fire Service
"Investigations presently is point towards the incendiary. We have eyewitnesses that reports prior to the fire. At least one individual was seen felling from the structure."

We contacted Huang for comment this morning, but he declined saying that his party will release an official statement. 2 hours later, the UDP's Communications Officer send a press release which said, quote, "The UDP Cayo South Committee and Mr. Ralph Huang hereby state our disappointment in the illegal burning of our political office… We categorically oppose the violent, illegal activities and desperate actions of the perpetrator(s) of this incident of arson. We ask that our supporters desist and restrain themselves from engaging in any act of retaliation.

Right now, there are UDP's who are pointing fingers at the PUP's Cayo Soiuth camp led by candidate Julius Espat as the culprits. So we asked Espat today if he had any involvement - here's what he said:...

Daniel Ortiz
"Did you authorized or are you connected to that fire in any way?"

Julius Espat, Deputy Leader - PUP
"Definitely not. We don't need to. We have been working hard in Cayo South. Our mission has been to unite Cayo South both UDP and PUP. We have never had a problem in Cayo South. When I had a strong opposition at this time in 2o12, this hasn't happen and why would we want i to happen right now? But it not a good thing for Cayo South. It's not a good thing for the country of Belize and anybody that did it, if it's a UDP, if it's a PUP, if it's any P, we don't appreciate it in Cayo South and we would humbly request that if anybody is even considering it in other areas to stop it. The country of Belize does not need this mindset and so it's not a good thing."

Daniel Ortiz
"Do you have any supporters or do you know of any supporters of you who are radicals and would believe that you would support an action like this in your name?"

Julius Espat, Deputy Leader - PUP
"Definitely not. Our people believe in us. We've been working hard in Cayo South and we have not have an opposition in Cayo South. We are campaigning and we are not seeing the other side. So we don't have a need to do any of this."

Today, the Commanding Officer of the Belmopan Police told our colleague at Plus TV this afternoon that they have evidence to suggest that the fire was set by someone who used an accelerant - meaning gas or another flammable substance.

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

7 News Belize