Tragedy Strikes Belize City: Fire Claims Life on Gibnut Street

A fire broke out on Gibnut Street in Belize City late last night.  Moments later, a nationwide power outage occurred, leaving firefighters to operate in the dark, trying to douse the flames that would consume the life of 51-year-old, Phillip Cattouse.  It was a tragedy that fire officials and police investigators are now looking into.  We join Reporter Kendra Romero for that story.

As the embers cool, and the ashes gather at number four Gibnut Street, reports have surfaced, indicating that last night’s fire may have been intentionally set.  Gina Wagner is one of the suspects in the investigation.  The woman, who resided in the very house, has since come forward in an attempt to clear her name.  Wagner went to the Guardian Newspaper to give her side of the story.

Gina Wagner, Resident: “People are telling me that I was responsible for that fire something is wrong with those people. Is something wrong with them ? I wasn’t there last night. Someone was holding me down not to go there. I felt the vibes. It was a vibes, people were around me to do something there. It was wrong to hurt that man.”

Reporter: But they are blaming you for the fire. 

Gina Wagner, Resident: “Yes. I didn’t know what happened. I came this morning and I was hurt. My mom was outside, my sister was outside. None of them didn’t tell me nothing.”

Reporter: Where were you last night ? 

Gina Wagner, Resident: “I was with my friends.”

According to Wagner, she looked up to Cattouse as a father figure.  Police are yet to indicate if they have any suspects in the fire investigation.