7 News Belize

Alma Choc’s Home And Business Also Burned On Sunday
posted (November 28, 2016)
Another of the 3 fires which happened over the weekend completely destroyed the home and business place of Belize City resident Alma Choc. She is a small business owner who runs a shop and a catering business out of her home on West Collet Canal. But everything was lost when her 2-storey house went up in flames early on Sunday morning.

Fire Chief Ted Smith told us that her Fire happened after 1:00 am on Sunday and when the Chateau fire came on around 8:00, they had to be juggling between both of them:..

Ted Smith, Fire Chief
"The department also received and responded to a fire at 47 West Collet Canal, because we don't want to confuse West Canal and Collet Canal - two different canal. On arrival a 2 story structure with wooden upper and concrete lower, heavy smoke was seen coming out the structure. The fire was primarily internal and had not necessarily escaped outside yet. But the fire was already developed inside. The team was able to make entry into that structure and contain and extinguish the fire."

Reporter
"What is the cause of the fire?"

Ted Smith, Fire Chief
"Both of those fire are not yet investigated. The investigation is ongoing. If you notice that fire occurred at 0:0146 and by 0:824 the following morning we had that large fire that occupied all of us out at Chateau. So the investigation is now in full swing to establish origin and cause of both fires."

Today, Choq told us that she will have to rebuild about 10 years of hard work and personal sacrifice:

Alma Choc, Fire Victim
"Saturday night I was not far from my home. I was right up the street across from the Queen Square market just socializing with a female friend and about to come home when another one of my friend came and say 'Ms. Alma you house is on fire.' and we got in a vehicle and we came back and I ran in because my dog were here and so I ran in and someone got the dog out for me and well this is what I saw and then I passed out and I ended up in the hospital."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Were you able to save anything?"

Alma Choc, Fire Victim
"Everything is completely destroyed. We couldn't save anything because inside of the house was completely engulfed in flames. Everything was destroyed. I have a small business downstairs and that was completely destroyed. Everything I owned and worked for for the past 10 years have been completely destroyed. I have 6 employees because I also have another business in downtown plaza, but that will be closed down until further notice. I just want people to know that and all my employees are out of a job now, so everything I own is completely destroyed."

"It's heartbreaking and honestly, yesterday I still can't imagine how I will replace back everything I own, everything I worked for. But people are helping me from yesterday. My businesses will be closed down until further notice. Eventually hopefully I will be able to reopen. I don't know if I will be able to before the year is out. I would greatly appreciate any assistance that anyone can give me. My phone number is 663-6195. You can call me and I will tell you where I am or I will come and meet you. Any assistance, financial assistance, material assistance to rebuild, because we can do something with the downstairs. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated."

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Choc says that her business in the Downtown Plaza will have to temporarily close while she works on fixing her home. Anyone who wants to help can reach her at telephone number 663-6195.

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