A week ago five families were displaced when a fire a ripped through Prince Street. Four houses were destroyed and at least three more were damaged. As many as thirty people were directly affected. A week later rebuilding has begun and today they got some help from the City Council.
Keith Swift,
What has the last week been like for you?
Everal Neal, Fire Victim
"Well it was very rough Keith."
In one word, that is how the last week has been for the victims of last Thursday's disastrous fire on Prince Street. 5 families were displaced and a week later they are still trying to pick up the few pieces they have remaining.
Everal Neal,
"It's not like getting up in the morning and go to work and come back and you know your house is there. Now I don't have any house."
Arilee Scott, Fire Victim
"Been really rough because everything is strange. You don't have your familiar things around and it annoys me a lot. It annoys so much that pressure is so high right now. I am trying right now to cope so that my pressure doesn't soar more because you can't see but my foot and everything are swollen up because the pressure has me all swollen right now. It is kind of rough for me."
This afternoon the City Council with the assistance of the business community donated cash and grocery vouchers to the affected families. The cash came in the form of checks from the business community and the grocery vouchers from Santino Castillo. Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael spearheaded the drive.
Anthony Michael, Deputy Mayor
"When I saw the fire last week my heart went out to the victims. In terms of hurricanes people have time to prepare and evacuate but fire doesn't respect anytime and these people lost everything. I went to the Mayor and my fellow councilors and asked their permission and support to go to different businesses and to try and solicit some kind of help. They have gotten some clothes and assistance which they are okay in that particular area right now and the businesses are helping financially where they can go and purchase stuff and Mr. Santino has donated a month's supply of food.
We urge the other businesses, if these people want to rebuild their home, find it in your heart and try to give them at least stuff at cost price because these are fellow Belizeans. They are hardworking, they are not strong financially and they need as much help as possible."
The families were thankful.
Feliciano Barkley, Fire Victim
"I would want to say thanks to the Mayor, Mr. Tony, and Mr. Santiago for the little help and so far we're going good and thing."
Arilee Scott,
"It will help a lot because we need it and I have small kids."
Everal Neal,
"Things could be better but in this situation that's all we can get and we thank and appreciate everything."
And while that's some help - the victims say it'll is a long road to recovery.
Helga Barrow, Fire Victim
"I have a job and so with my job I will be able to get back on my feet."
Feliciano Barkley,
"We want to cry out to the public and thing because the help we are getting is alright but everybody who comes are bringing clothes and thing. We are asking at least for some second hand items or towels and sheets instead of only clothes and maybe a little toys or so for the goods until we can get back our feet."
Albert area representative Mark Espat has already committed to helping the families.
