Viewers will remember the iconic Chateau Caribbean on Marine Parade, which was almost completely destroyed by a huge fire at the end of November.
That was just 5 months or so ago, but on Easter Monday morning, there was another blaze in the remains of that 3 storey building. It caused another headache for the Fire Department, who had to extinguish another fire in a building that had already burnt down. More vexing for the fire department is that preliminary indications are that someone intentionally lit what's left of the building on fire.
Today, one of the spokespersons for the Fire Department discussed the investigations into what appears to be arson:
Orin Smith, Station Manager - Belize National Fire Service
"On Monday April 18, 2017 at approximately 3:08pm, the National Fire Services received a report from the police of a fire at the burnt site of the Chateau Caribbean. Two units were dispatched to that location. On arrival on the scene, visible flames and smoke was seen coming from the north concrete section of the structure. The fire department got into operation to extinguish the structure. The fire was later brought under control and extinguished. The site of the premise is own by one Mr. Lin Lue. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire originated on a lower section of that structure. The cause of that fire is still under investigation."
Reporter
"Is it possible that there was any leftover material from the fire in November that caught again?"
Orin Smith, Station Manager - Belize National Fire Service
"There were certainly materials that were unburnt or I should say incomplete burning, that was left over from the November fire. However, there was no activity going on at that site. No one occupied the structure and scientifically for a fire to occur there needs to be 3 elements that has to be combined; fuel, heat and oxygen. There was a source of fuel there from the previous fire. Oxygen is always plentiful in the air around us. However, there was no, or supposedly heat source, since there is no electrical current or any activity going on at the site. For a heat source to have been present, there is the possibility of human intervention."
Reporter
"So while you are saying that the investigation has not been conclusive, would it be safe to venture and say that it was an incendiary fire?"
Orin Smith, Station Manager - Belize National Fire Service
"One can speculate such. However, I would prefer to refrain from saying such, until the investigation is concluded."
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