Police investigate Fire in Dangriga Town, 3 Buildings Damaged

Dangriga Town police are investigating a fire that damaged three structures in that municipality last night, including the iconic James Chee dry goods and grocery store. The blaze erupted at around 6:00 p.m. on Commerce Street. 

Neighbours alerted the fire department after spotting flames in one building, but the fire spread rapidly, spilling over two additional houses. Video footage from the scene captured fire department personnel attempting to control the flames.

Camilla Rhaburn, a resident of one of the affected houses, told News 5 that she was awakened by the smell of smoke. “I was actually in my sleep, and I woke up to the scent of smoke. I came out and I noticed that my porch was actually set on fire… I had one of the windows in my kitchen open, so when I peeked out, it was like eclipsed, like red, something red on the wall,” she said. Rhaburn and her daughters escaped without serious injury. 

She noted seeing two individuals leaving a nearby house just before realising her own home was on fire, leading her to suspect a possible case of arson. 

Reports circulated that the incident had led to one fatality; however, police have reported that their investigation recorded no injuries.

Rhaburn clarified, “They assume it was me and my kids. A guy came up to me and said, “Miss, I heard you were in the fire.” And I was like, No, I wasn’t in a fire.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated.