Many Belizeans will be missing their favourite meal tonight, because the city’s most popular fast food joint, Li Chee Fried Chicken is closed because it was almost destroyed by fire this morning. Just before lunch – which is rush hour for Li Chee - an electrical short ignited a blaze in the restaurant’s kitchen which quickly spread to the upper flat and caused chaos on Freetown Road. Our 7NEWS team was on the scene and Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This was the scene at Li Chee late this morning. When 7News arrived on Freetown Road – there was no visible fire – only smoke which had consumed the upper flat of the Li Chee building. So much smoke that fire fighters needed oxygen tanks to enter. Jerome McClaren lives in the yard and heard a cry for help.
Jerome McClaren, Witness
“I heard the chiney lady said that there was a fire and we just came out and she told me to call 911 and we called for the fire engine and they came out. But the fire started from the bottom flat downstairs.”
Keith Swift,
When you came out after hearing her holler, what did you see?
Jerome McClaren,
“Pure smoke.”
Keith Swift,
So you didn’t see any flames?
Jerome McClaren,
“Just smoke.”
Keith Swift,
How long did the fire engine take to come?
Jerome McClaren,
“2 minutes, quick response in two minutes time because at least the
fire started in a quick five minutes but then they arrived in two minutes time and they put out the fire fast.”
Li Chee had just opened for the day and Shun Yu Tan who works there was nearby when the fire started.
Shun Yu Tan,
“The fan short circuit in the store. It is the ventilating fan. I was somewhere else and when I heard the news I just came.”
About 15 people live in the house above the restaurant. The damage was mainly from smoke and water. The occupants were able to save few things – one of which was this laptop. The investigation is now in the hands of the Fire Department.
Kenneth Mortis, Fire Station Supervisor
“Our investigation concludes that the fire started from an electrical short coming from the vent fans of the kitchen. Due to that short the fire ignited and I guess attempts were made by the proprietors of the restaurant to extinguish the fire but they were overcome by the smoke.”
Keith Swift,
Why so much smoke?
Kenneth Mortis,
“That level of smoke that you guys saw this morning, it was a build up of the deep fat fryers that they were using along with the actual fire itself coming from the electrical wires and then the next thing is the restaurant and the upper portion were closed up so all the smoke built up and when ventilation took place, all the smoke just found its way out.”
Li Chee has been in business since 1994. No word on when it will be re-opened.
