Arson Leaves Single Father Homeless

Over the weekend, there were several fires that resulted in numerous people being displaced. The first blaze of the weekend, which is believed to be the result of arson, left a single father of three with only the clothes on his back. The soldier of the Belize Defense Force says his surveillance cameras were able to capture the moments when two men snuck into his home and set it ablaze. Reporter Vejea Alvarez tells us more.

Vejea Alvarez, Love FM Belize: In the wee hours of Saturday morning, two masked men snuck into the home of BDF Lance Corporal Ashley Henry under the cloak of darkness and turned his life upside down. The men were caught on surveillance footage breaking into the Mahogany Heights home and reportedly setting it ablaze. Henry, a father of three, was deployed earlier that day and says he only learned of the incident after his home had been burnt to the ground.

Lance Corporal Ashley Henry, Fire Victim: “I got the news over the radio pertaining an emergency. When I came in I get to understand that my house was burnt down I reviewed my video footage on my camera and I saw two individuals went in and that’s how the house went up in flames. From there I was down, depressed, trying to figure out what I would do next because I lost everything in my home. Only thing I have on me is the clothes on my back and the uniform that I’m wearing. So the good part about it, my kids went to my mom for the weekend and so they were safe at my mom and I was at work so the house was available. No one was at the house during the fire.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love FM Belize: Henry purchased the home over a year ago and says he has peacefully resided in the village with his three children since then. So why would anyone want to destroy his home? He says the apparent arson may have been the result of an altercation between his brother who often visits his home and men in the village. 

Lance Corporal Ashley Henry, Fire Victim: “I get to understand that there was a misunderstanding with my brother and his friend. They fell out, the friendship ended and my brother usually frequents my house and so they went to the house looking for him and then they don’t set the house on blaze. Just seems like they’re trying to set an order or try to prove a point.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love FM Belize: How heartbreaking is it that your brother doesn’t even live there, but that’s where he went to look for him and now your life has been turned upside down.

Lance Corporal Ashley Henry, Fire Victim: “It’s hard for everyone in the family man and literally all I gotta do is try to start from scratch and I’ll use it as a stepping stone in life because my life doesn’t end here. I gotta start fresh and start new.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love FM Belize: The tragic incident has left the father of three heartbroken and puzzled as to why his home was targeted. He says the police are yet to confirm the incident was the result of arson but he strongly believes so and is hoping that justice can prevail.

Lance Corporal Ashley Henry, Fire Victim: “From the police department I think it’s a DVU office they made mention that they caught one of the guys and they’re still looking for other. So so far it seems like a little justice. Beside justice now I just got wait because I haven’t received a call from no other entities as yet and I just hope that the police department and whatever department could help me get justice for this situation.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love FM Belize: Henry and his three children ages 4, 7 and 9 lost all their belongings in the blaze and are now left without a roof over their heads. However, Henry isn’t letting the tragedy get the best of him and says he will simply have to rebuild with the help of good Samaritans.

Lance Corporal Ashley Henry, Fire Victim: “So far all I need is just clothes for me and my kids and I need material to rebuild. I bought the home and the land so I will just rebuild and start off fresh and just leave the justice in the police department’s hand so that they could do whatever they can. So far I’m just trying to keep everyone in my family safe and ensure that I get justice for what happened and I try to rebuild and start off fresh that’s all I really want to do. At this point I will need help with a little bit of groceries and clothes that’s the urgent help that I will need beside that materials and I will just start a rebuild from there.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love FM Belize: If you are willing and able to assist Henry, he can be reached at 610-6624. Vijay Alvarez, Love News