The tollbooth at the entrance of Orange Walk Town was destroyed by fire early this morning and investigators say it was arson. Around 1 am the Fire Department responded to the scene where the small 7 by 14 structure was engulfed in flame. Police arrived an hour later and found a coke bottle with a cloth stuffed into the top and a liquid inside. Police have since confirmed it was kerosene.
This video provided to us courtesy our affiliate at Northern Cable Company show how the fire ripped through the inside of the small structure. The interior received extensive damage to the windows and ceiling. And while it is still standing, the outside is scorched along the wall with visible damage from smoke. Some tickets were also destroyed in the early morning blaze. The tollbooth, which was part wood and part masonry work, is valued at $41,000. The motive at this point is unknown since no money is kept in the booth overnight. There was a robbery there about 2 years ago. Since the unrest in mid-January, this is the second building to have been taken by fire. The other was a political constituency office in the town but according to the Belize Times, fire authorities found no proof of arson in that case.
Our video footage shows that with the booth closed and traffic is flowing freely on the bridge. The booth is managed by the Ministry of Works and Chief Engineer Cadet Henderson told 7NEWS he will recommend that the booth not be re-opened. Henderson says the booth is a safety hazard and accounts for an average of about one death a year. He says because of its location, drivers at night panic when they see the small hut in the middle of the road. He says that along with poor lighting has caused one too many accidents. It brought in about $180,000 in revenue last year. Henderson says the toll booth will remain closed throughout the Easter and thereafter a decision will be made.
