Second Fire At Caye Caulker

Yet another fire ravaged two houses in the small village of Caye Caulker which was shortly plagued by a fire just two weeks ago and once again due to the lack of proper equipment the Caye Caulker Fire Department was unable to salvage these homes.

Ms. Eujenia Heredia, owner of one of the houses that was burnt, related to us what occurred on Friday, December, 4. "The fire started, I believe, about midday at my cousin's house and by the time I got here my house, which I had for rent, was already on fire," commented Ms. Heredia. "Fortunately no one was staying at the house but we lost everything. I estimate a total loss of $100,000 and the building was no insured."

Acting Fire Chief of Caye Caulker Fire Department, Mitchell Lewis, stated that they got a call at about 12:15 p.m. of a small bungalow yellow house on fire. Lewis further stated that upon their arrival they set up the water pump on a pier but due to the weight of the pump and persons the pier gave in and the pump fell into the water.

"The pump fell into the water and did not want to restart, so we had to come back to the fire station to pick up our back up pump but by the time we returned to the scene the second house was already on fire," stated Fire Chief Lewis.

The fire seemed to have started in a bedroom in the southeast corner of the house belonging to Mrs. Rosado. There were two occupants in the house at the time; Mr. Frank Renalds and his three children and Mr. Sylvino Rosado with his common-law-wife and three children - a total of ten persons lost all their belongings in this fire.

As to what caused the fire, the case remains undetermined because according to Mr. Lewis he could not carry out proper investigation at the scene. "By the time the fire was put out it was already getting dark so I told house owners I would return to make proper investigation early the next morning," commented Lewis. "When I returned the following day everything was moved and our investigations were fruitless and the cause was labeled as undetermined."

Mr. Renalds reported a loss of $11,000, Mr. Rosado - $5,000 and Ms. Heredia a loss of $100,000 - a total loss of $116,000. The Village Council is collecting donations for these families. Anyone wishing to help can contact the Caye Caulker Village Council. Ms. Eujenia Heredia provided an Atlantic Bank # 210470783 for anyone wishing to render help to her family.

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