Over a Dozen Homes Destroyed as Fire Rips Through San Pedro Columbia Village

At least thirteen families in San Pedro Columbia Village in the Toledo District are tonight counting their losses after a devastating fire tore through the community earlier today, destroying an estimated one dozen homes and leaving widespread destruction in its wake.  Initial reports indicate that the blaze started in a kitchen area of one of the thatch structures, but strong winds quickly fanned the flames, causing the fire to spread rapidly from one house to the next. Many of the homes, built with highly flammable materials, were engulfed within minutes.  Emergency response efforts were immediately activated. The Belize Fire Department responded to the scene and has since brought the fire under control, while personnel from the Belize Defence Force are en route to provide additional support. Members of Ya’axché Conservation Trust and Community Emergency Response Teams are also assisting with coordination and relief efforts.  Authorities say the immediate priority is to fully extinguish remaining hot spots to prevent any re-ignition. The Toledo Emergency Operations Center has been partially activated, with district coordinators working alongside community leaders to assess urgent needs and mobilize support for displaced residents.  Chairman of San Pedro Columbia Village, Abner Cal, told Love News that the fire escalated quickly, leaving little time for residents to react as the flames spread from structure to structure.

Abner Cal, Chairman, San Pedro Colombia Village: “It started at around 1:30 this afternoon when we got the first call that a kitchen that belongs to the church right across the street from here. And from there I guess the wind, heavy wind that came and then it spread to the structure right behind us. From thereon it spread to the other structures and if you notice it went all the way to the main road which is a quarter mile from here. So it’s a very huge fire. Thanks to the villagers who came out we were able to contain it so that it doesn’t spread further into the village. The community came out and assisted as much as they could, some risking their lives assisting the others to take out all these home items that they have and of course Ya’xche, BDF, police they all came and assist. It’s a little unfortunate from the fire department the fire truck did not respond to any. We did get the personnel on the ground but you know what can we do. This is around two o’clock when the breeze started to blow very hard, it just spread rapidly. I could give one instance we were containing one down the hillside and as we were containing it we noticed the other one not far away from it just started to blaze so we had to scramble and try to get it under control. The village council you know we gathered together and said we need to get these things done because we can get assistance from NEMO we’re trying to get that but at the moment as far as we have counted it is around thirteen structures. As you can see behind us this is actually three structures, one this side and another one to that structure there totally destroyed. Police are investigating I, they were here earlier they came and did their investigation so I believe they will be working along with the fire department trying to figure what caused the fire. There is a lot of help needed so anyone out there countrywide you can always contact us the village council, myself as the chairperson you can contact us trying to see what we can do to assist them. At the moment we’re doing our best, we have already located a building where we’re going to house some of the affected. We’re trying to get assistance from NEMO. This is an emergency so you know we don’t want our fellow villagers to be out there under no roof to be sleeping in the open.”

Residents reportedly scrambled to save belongings, but the speed and intensity of the blaze, compounded by windy conditions, made it extremely difficult. While there have been no reports of fatalities, several families have been left homeless, facing significant emotional and financial hardship.  A full situation report is expected once verified information is received from fire officials. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing./