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There was a fire in Belize City this morning and it left a family of five homeless. These situations are always desperate but they are even more so at Christmas. Jacqueline Godwin found out what makes this situation especially desperate.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
This was the scene at the corner of Magazine Road and Ebony Street. White smoke was still billowing from what remains of the residence of Althea Baldwin and her family of four. When 7News arrived, police and fire investigators were trying to find out what started the blaze which destroyed the three bedroom wooden house and all of its contents. This small collection of clothes set on top of this fence is all that was saved. Initial reports are that employees at the BEL plant behind the house first saw smoke streaming out of the house and called the fire department.

The son who was distressed and seen here being comforted did not wish to appear on camera but told 7News that he had just left the residence house and was a few blocks away when a friend told him that his house was on fire.

The mother Althea Baldwin was having a difficult time coping with the tragedy as she sat down looking at was left of her home. As she was comforted by her friend Marilyn Casanova she told us she does not know what happened because the family never leaves anything on that could have triggered the blaze.

Jacqueline Godwin,
“I understand that no one was home at the time, thank God, but unfortunately the family lost everything.”

Althea Baldwin, Fire Victim
“Yes everything gone.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“I know you must be in a shock because from what I understand nothing was left turned on in the house?”

Althea Baldwin,
“Nothing was left on.”

Marilyn Casanova, Friend of Victim
“She is on her day off today and she usually goes out early to do her business because she is on day off, she works at Karl Heusner. So she had her day off yesterday and today so she went to do her little business. I got the call from work that her house burned down. I couldn’t get her and when I came out this side the house was already burnt down. Big loss and it is Christmas time. It is really rough. Really rough.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“And nothing was left on.”

Althea Baldwin,
“Nothing was left on. My pickney went to school and I went to do my business. My two kids go to St. Michael’s, they are still in school. They must not know yet.”

The family will stay with relatives until a new home can be built. No one knows when that will be because the family doesn’t have money to build right now. But despite the great loss Althea Baldwin is optimistic that her Area Representative, Prime Minister Dean Barrow will come to their rescue.

Althea Baldwin,
“I nuh really have to appeal for help because he will do what he has to do. I don’t really have to go through that with him. He will help. That is not a problem.”

Nothing was insured. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7News.

The Fire Department has not yet determined what started the blaze.