Principal Warns Repeated Gas Leak Threat Near Belize Elementary Remains Unresolved

Following today’s gas leak scare near Belize Elementary School, principal Mahib Sharp says the situation is not an isolated one and has happened before.  Sharp told Love News that the proximity of food kiosks, particularly those using large butane cylinders, has long been a concern for the institution, which houses pre-school, primary and secondary level students on a single compound along Princess Margaret Drive.  According to the principal, the school has previously reached out to the Belize City Council requesting intervention to address what she describes as a clear health and safety hazard, but those appeals have not yet resulted in a permanent solution.

Mahib Sharp, Principal, Belize Elementary and High School: “This has been a concern for the school for quite some time. We have two food vendors that are in front of the school. It’s something that we had addressed with the city council many, many years ago. This was our greatest fear, and today it happened. We do plan to contact the city council about this. Yes, this is a health concern, it’s a safety concern, and we have over 800 plus people on this compound that we had to evacuate today. And this could be avoided. we don’t have to have this, you know, possible threat.”

Sharp says the administration remains worried that the next incident could have far more serious consequences and is again urging municipal authorities to review the placement and operation of commercial food stalls operating immediately next to school grounds./