Official Police Report on 200-Year-Old Church Destroyed by Fire

A devastating fire destroyed the historic Queen Street Baptist Church in Belize City early on Friday, February 21. According to an official police report, the fire started around 4:35 a.m. at the back of the two-story building. Police were called to the scene at 4:50 a.m., where they found the church in flames.

The church building, which includes a school and kitchen on the lower floor, was severely damaged. The fire caused extensive destruction to the church, while a portion of the school building also sustained damage.

Police said that Pastor Lloyd Stanford, 72, reported securing the building at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night and ensured all lights were off. He was alerted of the fire the following morning. There were no injuries reported, and according to the police, the building was insured.

Fire investigators believe an electrical issue, possibly triggered by a power outage between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m., caused the blaze that destroyed the historic 200-year church. Four fire trucks were deployed to contain the blaze.

The police report added that the “estimated cost of damages is yet to be determined.”