And turning back now to Belize City, West canal resident Bernadette Lucas lost her home to a fire this morning.
It happened early this morning on the corner of West Canal and South street. That's where Lucas, who lived alone was attempting to prepare breakfast on a fire that she said just wouldn't stay lit.
But eventually, it did, and it seems that once the flames started to spread they didn't stop until Lucas's home was completely destroyed. Cherisse Halsall has more.
This was the fire on West Canal that engulfed Bernadette Lucas's home this morning.
The former Holy Redemer teacher, who's lived in the home for years says she was attempting to cook breakfast in her outdoor kitchen when the flames got out of control and eventually spread inside.
Bernadette Lucas, Fire Victim
"By the time I sat down for a minute to fan the fire, I realized that I was hearing some popping inside pop, pop, pop, pop and when I opened the door and I looked on the bottom there where the stuff had fallen it was lighted up and the mattress was already, that fast, the mattress was already gone."
"I wasn't really frightened, I was, I wasn't frightened I wasn't afraid, I was just surprised, surprised, surprised, surprised that the fire started so fast that's about it."
Bernadette says that in a fire that took everything even the tree in her front yard. She only got out because her neighbors came to her rescue.
Bernadette Lucas, Fire Victim
"I just lost everything, that's about it, everything. I'm not hurt so but losing everything I don't feel so good but the point is I have my life and I can regain some things you know, so I don't feel bad."
Now, she'll have to re-build but in a post-covid recession and the inflation that's come with it that's easier said than done.
Still, Bernadette believes she'll have help, help from the neighbors that got her out, and help from friends and family who have promised to bring her the lumber she'll need to rebuild.
If you'd like to reach out to Bernadette Lucas to offer assistance she can be reached at her neighbor's number at 601-9015.
