A family in Belize City lost their home in a fire on Saturday morning. It happened Raleigh Street in the St. Martin's area, and cell phone footage captured the fire in progress, showing a wooden 2-bedroom home completely engulfed in flames.
We are told that it was being rented by Sharon Zelaya, her husband, her daughter, and her two grandchildren, ages 2 and 4. At this time, the authorities believe that the children were playing with matches in a room when which for out of control and cause that part of the house to catch fire. It quickly spread, and although the occupants were able to get out safely, they lost everything.
This afternoon, we spoke a representative from the National Fire Service, and he discussed the mishap that has now brought misery to this family. Here's what he told us about the case:
Kenneth Mortis - Station Supervisor, National Fire Service
"Saturday afternoon, the fire was true, the fire was confirmed on our arrival. We observed an elevated wooden structure that was heavily engulfed in flames. We extinguished this fire and launched an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire."
Reporter
"Sir, tell us about the occupants, and the level of damage to the home."
Kenneth Mortis
"The house was totally destroyed, the house the contents, everything that you can probably think about was destroyed in the home. The occupants, there was an occupant who had two minors, 2 adults. We spoke to the grandmother of the two minors. The minors were a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. She stated that she was a bit tired, so she decided to go and take a nap, leaving the two kids basically unwatched in the house. While the male adult, he was outside on the step. It is confirmed these two children were playing with matches, and subsequently, the house caught fire in the rear portion of the bedroom."
Reporter
"Sir, that must be something disappointing for you, as investigators to hear that kids playing with matches caused this particular thing - who were unattended."
Kenneth Mortis
"It's very disheartening. The fire department has always tried to emphasize the importance of [not] leaving alone, leaving them unmonitored, let alone having them in close proximity of a lighter or a match. The kids between those ages are very curious, and the fire is something that's very intriguing to them. They see these flames; they want to explore more about what this flame can do. And in the end, the sad reality of it is another relapse is going to happen like what we just experienced this Saturday. Even though the fire was discovered in the early stage, so to speak, the gentleman made - of course - a heroic attempt to retrieve the two children from the house before they, themselves, could have suffered any fire damage. Upon doing so, a second attempt was made by him to re-enter, but by then the fire had already consumed the rest of the house. Kudos to him, he took out the two kids, but that's where the person starts over. They now got to look at rebuilding, refurnishing, the entire nine years that you suffer when you lose a house."
The house and its contents are valued at approximately $40,000.
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