Eight Displaced After Fire Guts Freedom Street Home

Eight people have been displaced following a house fire on Freedom Street, just off Jane Usher Boulevard in Belize City. The blaze began at around nine-thirty this morning and affected a two-storey residence owned by Sharett Zelaya.  The lower flat of the building was constructed of concrete, while the upper section was wooden. Zelaya occupied the upper flat and was asleep when she was awakened by the smell of smoke. Her son, Raheem Zelaya, lived in the lower portion of the building.  The full extent of the damage has not yet been confirmed, and fire officials have not determined what caused the blaze.  Zelaya’s daughter, Courtney Zelaya, spoke about the fire and the assistance the displaced family now needs.

“Well, it’s still uncertain. We just realized that well, my mom based on what my mom shared, you know, she woke up to dark smoke coming from underneath her bed. So it appears that the fire started downstairs in one of the rooms that are at the bottom. She was sleeping on the alpha flat and just smelled smoke and then, you know, was alerted and by that time it was a bit too late.”

Reporter: Was the family able to salvage anything at all out of the house?

“No, nothing whatsoever. It spread very quickly. It’s like a family residence where each person had their own designated section. Eight total persons, six adults, two children. Well, the immediate needs are standard, of course, clothing items that would be the priority but apart from that I will say just different materials because of course we have to start from the ground up. You know, the house was completely engulfed in flames, so the structure is not good for any residency to occur. The entire thing has to be taken down and rebuilt from, you know, the ground up. Things, the other things, will figure out as we go.”

Anyone who can assist the family is asked to contact Courtney Zelaya at 616-1835.