A family is homeless tonight after their dwelling was destroyed by fire. This morning, the fire department was called to Allenby Street in Queen Square were the upper flat of a 2 story cement house had gone up in flames. No one was in the house and the owners had no idea until they came back to a charred home. The owners declined an interview, but the Fire Station Manager explained that this was an electrical fire.
Orin Smith, Station Mgr. Belize National Fire Service
"The National Fire Service received a call of a structural fire at #79 Allenby Street, Belize City. On arrival on scene, the upper flat of the two story concrete structure was seen on fire. Following a brief size-up, the Fire Department got into operation to extinguish the fire. The fire was later brought under control and extinguished. As a result of the fire, the eastern half of the structure was severely damaged by the fire. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire originated in the room on the northeast section of the structure. It originated on a bed. The structure was not insured and was owned by one Mr. Reyes."
"Apparently, the fire was the result of an electrical fire off the light above the bed. A check on the electrical breaker shows that there were 4 breakers that had trip as a result of the fire."
Reporter
"I understand that students from the nearby St. Ignatius Primary School had to be evacuated as well. Can you talk to us about that?"
Orin Smith, Station Mgr. Belize National Fire Service
"That was as a result of the wind direction blowing smoke towards the occupied school buildings. As a result of that, they had to evacuate that building."
The last person to leave the house said that everything was unplugged and just fine when they went out at 7:30 this morning.
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