Baker Regrets That He Assisted Suspected Arsonist

The operator of the bakery where a fire broke out, destroying two apartment buildings in San Pedro, deeply regrets helping his co-worker get her job back. The co-worker, a forty-year-old Mexican woman who hasn’t been charged yet, had worked on and off with the baker, Fermin Witzil, over the years. Earlier this year, she left the island to live in Cayo but called him less than two weeks ago, asking for her job back and requesting travel and subsistence money. Feeling obliged, he helped her out. Now, as a fire victim himself due to her actions, he laments ever assisting her. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with more on the story.

 

On the Phone: Fernando Witzil, Fire Victim

“She was working with me from August to November. Then she left and then she asked for help that she want to come back to work again the 20th of December. She asked for help that she need money for passage and food and pay. Uh, two weeks rent there and me and my sister put the money together and sent the money for her.  I never know.  She was going through a lot of problems.”

 

 

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Fermin Witzil, the owner of the bakery that was destroyed in the fire at Centavos Apartments on Sea Star Drive, shared his regret today. He explained that he had offered a helping hand to his friend and co-worker, who said she needed to return to her job at the bakery. Unbeknownst to him, she was going through a tough time, trying to escape an abusive relationship and dealing with issues with another family living above the bakery. In an episode involving the woman, Witzil warned her that he would call the police and he went upstairs to do so. In that moment, she took out her frustration on the family, the bakery owner, and the other ten families living in the apartment complex. This tragic turn of events left Witzil and many others as victims of the fire.

 

On the Phone: Fernando Witzil

“She was throwing things. Whatever she meet on her way, she just slam it with her hand.  She was getting crazy.  Starting to do anything she meet on the way. And she was crying.  I said to her I will call the police because You are not behaving right. You – calm yourself.”

 

 

 

Witzil recounted that he went upstairs to call a police friend, explaining that his co-worker was causing a disturbance. Unfortunately, the officer wasn’t available at the time. Shortly after, Witzil heard the ominous sound of gas hissing from the tanks downstairs at his bakery. When he went to check, an explosion blasted him out onto the street. Witzil explained that his co-worker had lived in the same apartment complex and worked with him a few months ago before moving to Cayo. During her previous stay, she had issues with the family living above the bakery. This tension, combined with her personal struggles, culminated in the tragic events that unfolded.

 

On the Phone: Fermin Witzil

“I  know her like seven years, but five years, she asked me if I need someone for help in the kitchen, I said, yes,  but she never worked permanently. She just two months, three months, and then she left, like part-time. And then she was working with me from August to November, then she left. She used to say that they will pay what they have done with her, put interfering in her life.”

 

 

The woman was detained by San Pedro police but has since been released as investigations continue. The National Fire Service has confirmed that the fire was deliberately set. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero informed the media that they are treating the incident as arson. He also noted that the woman in question did not appear to be mentally unstable.

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“An apartment building with twelve rooms was completely engulfed in flames.  Investigation revealed that one of the tenants was at one of the rooms when he heard the sound of pressure from probably a gas (tank) thereafter there was an explosion, they place caught fire. We have one person in custody in regard to this investigation and we’re treating it as an arson.”

 

Reporter

“From what we understand, there were tanks and this woman allegedly turned on these tanks.”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“That is the information we have, so, she’s in custody and we are doing follow up work.”

 

 

 

Reporter

“Are you able to say what her condition is – her physical condition – because some on the island are saying that she had recently been the victim of some type of abuse and she had injuries significant.”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Yeah, she’s doing okay. She’s in custody and she will be interviewed. She has no injuries or anything.”

 

Reporter

Okay. Is she a mentally ill person?

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Not that we know of, no.”

 

Meanwhile, Fermin Witzil has received some pledges of assistance and is appealing to the public for help to get back on his feet.

 

 

 

 

On the Phone: Fermin Witzil

“The minister called me this morning, but he said the secretary of him will give me Some tickets, but I have not  seen no one yet  and Nemo, Nemo will,  but until Friday will things come in from Belize City. We left with our two, three-cycles. We used to work on the street. We make the pastries and go in the street and sell. Well, at least the tire that I can paint the bike, or I can see what can I do, at least the three wheelers.”

 

If you would like to help Fermin Witzil get back to his business, you can reach him at 6367599. Marion Ali for News Five.

 

For more information visit:

https://edition.channel5belize.com/12-families-displaced-major-losses-in-san-pedro-inferno/