A two-story wooden structure in the Bahia area of Caye Caulker was gutted by a fire that reportedly started around 2:30AM on Tuesday, August 10th. The four families living in the building lost everything and are now in need of help.
Tropic Air and the Caye Caulker Village Council have joined forces to facilitate any donations sent to the island. Chairlady Seleny Villanueva-Pott is asking the public to help the fire victims. Some immediate items needed include bottled water, hygiene products, baby bottles (new), diapers stage 4, baby formula Enfamil, cleaning products, wipes, hand sanitizers, footwear, clothing for children and adults. Click here for a complete list and sizes needed. On Ambergris Caye the San Pedro Lions Club will be collecting donations at the Lions Den on August 11th and 12th (Wednesday and Thursday) from 8AM until noon.
Pott is also appealing for donated meals for any of the families. She can be reached at 615-9001. Tropic Air is accepting donations for the families at all their branches countrywide without freight charges. Packages must be labeled ‘Heidy Lopez-Caye Caulker Fire Victims.’
Building materials or funds can also be donated, and deposits can be made to the Atlantic Bank account #211419641 under the name of Heydi Lopez. The Caye Caulker community center will be open from 10AM to accept donations from the community.
According to the police report, at around 2:22AM, they were alerted about the fire. They observed the wooden structure engulfed in flames when they arrived in the Bahia area south of the island. Initial investigation reveals that the house occupants were sleeping when they were awakened by someone shouting ‘FIRE’! They immediately exited the house and noticed that the fire originated on the eastern side of the building.
Fire personnel under the command of Miguel Matus and the assistance of Caye Caulker residents battled the flames and managed to extinguish the fire. However, the building and the families’ belongings could not all be saved from the blaze. The wooden structure house was destroyed, and nothing was insured. No one was injured, and the fire’s cause is yet to be ascertained by the fire department personnel.
