2025-02-21 - Channel 5 Belize

200-Year-old Church Gutted in Early Morning Fire

Early this morning, a fire destroyed a building that was a significant part of Belize City’s history. The Queen Street Baptist Church, which stood for over two hundred years, went up in flames. This historic building was not only a place of worship but also hosted a school feeding program. The fire’s aftermath will disrupt classes next week, and church services will need to be held elsewhere until funds can be raised for rebuilding. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on this story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

At 4:30 this morning, Victor Cowo, a resident of Queen Street, woke up to the smell of thick smoke filling his home. When he stepped outside to investigate, he saw that the historic Queen Street Baptist Church was engulfed in flames.

Victor Cowo, Queen Street Resident

“I noticed, like, this cement portion of the building looked like flames were coming out from one of the windows. It didn’t seem like it caught the building yet. And that’s when I came back into my house and called 911.”

Cowo said he rushed back inside to gather his family’s important documents and some clothes. But as the smoke thickened, he noticed that the fire service was taking longer than expected to arrive.

Victor Cowo

“It feels like it took between 15 to 30 minutes. I’m not really 100 percent sure because. The area started to get really smoke, we had, me and my father had to hide in our room because the smoke was actually coming into our yard, into my portion of the room. Yeah, and then afterwards, we’ve grabbed like some buckets, the hose, tried to wet where we can wet.”

Gladstone Bucknor, the Belize District’s Station Supervisor for the National Fire Service, said they weren’t alerted until a few minutes after five a.m., but they responded quickly. He urges everyone to call 9-9-0 directly in case of a fire.

Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Supervisor, National Fire Service

“ Remember the number, 9-9-0 is direct to the fire department throughout the country, whichever part of the country you are, 9-9-0 comes to us directly.”

Marion Ali

“And the 9-1-1 goes through another…”

Gladstone Bucknor

“9-1-1 goes to the police department, then they call us.”

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stated that the fire doesn’t appear to be a criminal matter, so the police won’t be investigating it.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“One of the lights, I think, on the southern end was not working and according to information, the fire may have started from there. So it is believed that the fire may be electrical, starting with the area where Um, the light exist that was not working, but that is going to be confirmed hopefully today or next week by the fire department.”

The National Fire Service is still investigating, but according to the preliminary report, Bucknor believes the fire likely started due to an electrical issue.

Gladstone Bucknor

“We had a power outage between 3 o’clock this morning, between 3 and 4, and immediately after that we, this occurred. We actually look at areas where we see that they have some patterns of burns. So that’s the area we’re concentrating on right now.”

Reporter

“So it seems to be electrical?”

Gladstone Bucknor

“We can say yes and due to the fact that the current went out and come on with a surge.”

Four fire trucks responded to the blaze—three from Belize City and one from Ladyville. One of the Belize City trucks had mechanical issues, but Bucknor said they quickly fixed the problem. It took the team about an hour to contain the fire and stop it from spreading to other buildings. The main school building had damage to its doors and burglar bars. Principal Patricia Wade told News Five that classes will be canceled next week.

Patricia Wade, Principal, Queen Street Baptist School

“ Next week we definitely can’t have classes here. We’ll do online. But we are prepared for that. We’re not expecting to be out too long.We’re working on getting two small buildings that we can put out our man’s field and then we’ll put the babies there. So hopefully we get things into place. And in terms of the feeding aspect. Well, that is our holdup. Wwe’ll have to ask the parents to bring the, um, food, or, um, let the children bring their lunch, or the parents can drop it off for them.”

But the building was more than just a school and a church; it held significant historical value. Pastor Lloyd Stanford has been sharing his sermons there since 1971.

Lloyd Stanford, Pastor, Queen Street Baptist Church

“The ministry of this church started in 18 22 and it continue up until last night.

This strike started in 1822. And we went through 1931 hurricane, to which the building was damaged and we had to refurbish it to where it is today. Okay. This school served this community, well the community of Belize City, and in fact Belize as a whole.”

Sister Joan Arana, a member of the Baptist community, expressed her feelings in a poem today. She wrote, quote, God placed you on this Earth in 1822 on Queen Street, a beacon of His light in the City was your divinely accomplishing feat, end quote. Marion Ali for News Five.

Queen Street Baptist Dates Back to Emancipation of Slavery

Pastor Lloyd Stanford shared that the Queen Street Baptist Church has been a vital part of Belize City’s history. Built in the early 1820s and serving as a church since 1822, it’s the second oldest church in the Americas, after Saint John’s Anglican, also in Belize City. The church was also a significant site in 1839 when slaves gathered there to hear the announcement of their emancipation. Pastor Stanford, who has been preaching at the church since 1971, shared this history with News Five and spoke about the immense loss felt by the Baptist community and all of Belize City.

Lloyd Stanford, Pastor, Queen Street Baptist Church

“We started 1822 under the British Baptist Society and then in 1839 when we had the emancipation. This was where the slaves came here to worship while they are with the announcement. They had news that it was coming, but while they were waiting for the announcement, they were here at midnight. They were singing, they were praising God for their freedom from sin, as well as their freedom from slavery. And so they were here worshiping all night, and the next day they had some more celebrations. 1931 we had the devastated hurricane that killed a lot of people and damaged the building as well. And that was when we had to refurbish the building and bring it up to speed so that we continue to worship in the building. In 1961 there was another hurricane, Hathi Hurricane, that also did some damage to the building, windows and doors and so forth. The structure of the building remained the same.”

Marion Ali

“Was it a two-story building all along?”

Lloyd Stanford

“It was always a two-story building.”

Fire Official Advises Households to Check their Old Wiring

The fire official urged households to check their electrical wiring, especially if it’s been in place for many years. In the case of the Queen Street Baptist Church, which has stood since 1822, Station Supervisor Gladstone Bucknor noted that the wiring was last updated decades ago. He suggested that this, combined with a power surge when electricity was restored, might have sparked the fire.

Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Supervisor, National Fire Service

“That building is from 1822 and was last updated in 1931 after Hurricane Hattie. recently had their roof did and electrical system. As we know, electrical system is heat and we will people just leave their buildings like that and around appliances after appliances rather than actually getting electric to come in and rewire their system. So I advise all household personnel try to get their electrician to come in and sorted out.”

Alvaro Tun Freed of Murder Charge in San Pedro

Alvaro Tun, a thirty-four-year-old from San Pedro, was found not guilty of murdering Elder Arana on March fifth, 2023, at Jeemar’s Night Club in the San Pedrito area. Arana was stabbed six times after a fight broke out in the bar sometime before two a.m. The bar owner had closed early, and when the security guard tried to clear the patrons, a brawl erupted over a woman, leading to Arana’s death. Police found a box cutter belonging to the security guard, but he wasn’t charged with murder. Instead, Tun was arrested based on a witness account from Diego Santos. However, Judge Derick Sylvester dismissed Santos’ testimony, ruling it was not credible and likely fabricated. The judge noted contradictions in Santos’ statements and evidence that contradicted his account, leading to Tun’s acquittal.

Life in Prison for Darbin Romero

While one man walked free from a murder charge in San Pedro, another Belize City resident, Darbin Joel Romero, was sentenced to life imprisonment today after pleading guilty to murder. Romero, twenty-four, of Sibun Street, was represented by attorney Peta Gay Bradley of Legal Aid. He entered his guilty plea on December seventeenth, 2024, and sentencing was deferred until today by Justice Nigel Pilgrim. Justice Pilgrim handed down a life sentence, starting at twenty-five years. Due to Romero being a repeat offender, the sentence was increased by two years, making it twenty-seven years. Considering mitigating factors like Romero’s good character, remorse, and potential for rehabilitation, five years were deducted, bringing it to twenty-two years. An additional two years were deducted for his guilty plea, resulting in a final term of twenty years. Romero’s sentence is effective from April twelfth, 2022, when he was first remanded to the Belize Central Prison.

More Security Needed at Courts Following Magistrate Assault

On Wednesday, chaos broke out at the Magistrate’s Court in Punta Gorda when prisoner Mason Kelly attacked Magistrate Sashawna Jody-Ann Thompson. Kelly, who has a history of violent crimes, including attempted murder and assault, admitted to throwing a fan during the session but denies the aggravated assault charge. This incident highlights the need for better security during court sessions. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provided more details on the situation.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have said before that there is a need for us to have a discourse about respect. When I was assaulted in Orange Walk, people made a whole issue about it. If you assault the commissioner of police while he’s working then who are you not going to assault? If you assault a magistrate who sits on a bench dispensing justice, then who are you not going to assault? And the police is on top of the matter. I believe the magistrate would have made a report, and the police is going to deal with it. And I hope that when the matter goes before The court deals with it adequately. It cannot be that we have people who are assaulting police, magistrates, journalists, and so forth, when we’re doing our work and they just get a slap on the wrist and go home. We must send a strong signal that is going to serve as a deterrent to anybody who may think that they can do these kind of acts and get away with it.”

Reporter

“But there are reports that the man was, is mentally ill. In that case, what then happens?”

Chester Williams

“If he’s mentally ill, then he still goes to prison, and then the prison is going to arrange for him to get the cure that he needs to be able to assist him. But that should not be a justification, no. We are stretched really thin. We also have to look at the high court for security. We do have a number of judges who llack security and I had instructed Mr. Romero to provide security for those judges. That is going to take another eight police officers out of the operations to provide security for judges. But the security of the judges is important. We must ensure that our judges who are performing such duty in our high courts that they get the level of security that they deserve. So we’re doing as best as we can to make sure that they’re safe as well.”

DPP Plans to Appeal Dismissal of Dwayne Gabourel Murder Case

On Thursday, twenty-seven-year-old Dane Gillett was acquitted of the murder of fifteen-year-old Dwayne Gabourel after spending over three years in jail awaiting trial. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, plans to appeal the decision. Gabourel, a student at SJC, was shot and killed in September 2021 while shopping at a convenience store. Surveillance footage captured the shooter, and although his face was covered, a police officer later identified Gillett by his tattoo and body type. Despite this, the High Court judge upheld a no-case submission, resulting in Gillett’s release. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provides more details on the case.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I’m not the judge in that matter. I cannot speak to what the judge saw and what judge, what made the judge arrive at that conclusion. But I am happy to hear that the DPP has said that she’s going to appeal the matter.”

Reporter

“Sir, in that matter you said in October of 2021 that police would be requesting assistance from the FBI through the U.S. Embassy to enhance the video and try to build a strong case. Was that ever followed through?”

Chester Williams

“From the time I hear the DPP said that she’s going to appeal, it’s because she, in her wisdom as well, do believe that we have sufficient tool. have secured a conviction. So we’ll wait for the appeal and see what goes on there.”

Police who Shot at Emil Rivers to be Charged with Dangers Harm

The police officer who shot escaped detainee Emil Rivers will be charged with dangerous harm, according to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. In late January, Officer Sheldon Arzu fired two shots at Rivers, who was armed with a knife, while trying to bring him back into custody. Arzu was suspended during the investigation. Today, Williams gave an update on the case.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“ Yes, he is on interdiction. Not interdiction, he was on suspension, pending the outcome of the investigation. We have gotten the directive from the DPP, I think today is Friday, on Wednesday, to proceed with charge of dangerous harm. Yes, today he’ll be charged for dangerous harm and should be appearing before the court this afternoon”

Reporter

“What about the young man? He was in hospital and my understanding is that under police guard so charges were expected against him?”

Chester Williams

“He was to be charged in respect to the matter against Inspector Rosado. So that is still going to proceed.”

Reporter

“Will you recommend that he be dismissed? I forget the procedures,”

Chester Williams

“The matter is before it’s going to be before the courts and then before the tribunal that will also institute our own tribunal and I will leave it for them to determine that.”

Reporter

“You’ve spoken about that incident, how would you have addressed it?”

Chester Williams

“Like I said before, I have my opinion, but I am not going to be guided by my opinion. I’ll be guided by the opinion. Directive on the DPP, and what the tribunal is going to do.”

Reporter

“But in the other case of the officer who shot the dog of the governor-general, you did not go by the bidding of the tribunal. You decided, in consonance perhaps with the governor general’s husband, that man has to be fired.”

Chester Williams

“In that case, you’re wrong. I did wait for the tribunal to be completed. And after the tribunal was completed I reviewed the evidence and then I did what I, what the law authorised me to do. I am not saying that in the case of Arzu, that is not going to happen. I will wait to see what the adjudicator does, and based on that, then I see how we go from there.”

Police Observe Increase in Gang Activity

Gang activity has surged since the death of Brandon Baptist in late January. Baptist, a known gang member, was killed during a football match at Marion Jones Stadium. On February eighteenth, Akeem Smith was targeted by gunmen while returning from a fishing trip but managed to escape serious injury by jumping into the water. The next day, Leon Gray and Emmett Baptist were shot at near Newtown Barracks. Gray was hit but has since been treated and released from K.H.M.H. Police have linked both incidents to gang activity. Baptist’s death was ruled self-defense, prompting his mother to demand justice for her son. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams discussed the police’s strategy to address the situation today.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Yes, we do have have uptick in gang activity and over the past two weeks following the death of Brandon Baptist we we have seen that the threat level in Belize City has increased and we have also deployed additional police officers on the grounds and we’re conducting daily operations in the Martins here and then we saw with last weekend where came into the free when it was alleged that they had, they were responsible for the shooting at Akeem Smith, that have now stretched our operations to the north side. Again, we don’t want to leave any area open for gangs to be able to execute the intended acts. And so we’re doing as best as we can to contain the gang violence for now. I empathize with the mother and I could just imagine what she’s going through as a mother. I can’t say nothing bad about her. She has always been respectful to me. Brandon Baptist was, I wouldn’t say a friend, but a very close ally. He works extremely closely with us. When we have issues in the BLC era, he was one of the go to person that we could have go to, and he would always work with us. And I was, I am extremely grateful for the support that he had given to the police during his time. I wish it was not a matter of self defense, indeed. I, Jules knows this. Him and I spoke about this. But, if the DPP, in her wisdom, and I cannot I don’t argue with what the DPP is saying because as a liar, I see myself too that there is a very strong element of self-defense. In the with the presence of that there’s little to nothing that we will be able to do. I just have to continue to pray for her and hope that she gets the help and support that she need to overcome the pain associated with her loss and I know yes, I’ve not gone to see her and that’s because I don’t, I’m at a loss of words to tell her. I am giving her time to grieve, and when I think it’s an appropriate time, then I’ll go and see her and speak to her.”

Reporter

“Can you explain why, as a matter of law though, with this rivalry among these different groups, doesn’t that point to a general motive that you have that rivalry if I see you and you try to attack me, then the intent of murder to kill them would be there?”

Chester Williams

“The person who actually is a gunman is not a gang member. That’s the truth. So he’s not a person who is in the gang world. He happened to have been there, yes. But he’s not a gang member, no.”

Police Seize $200,000 Dollars During HIT Operation

Police seized two hundred thousand dollars during a HIT operation. In January, the Belize Police Department launched the country’s first-ever Highway Interdiction Team (HIT). This unit was created to boost law enforcement on the highways and tackle issues like drug trafficking, human smuggling, human trafficking, and the illegal movement of firearms and ammunition. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared that the team has been very successful since its launch.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Yes they have many successes I must say. They have issued a number of traffic violation tickets. They have also recovered a number of monies. Down south there was an operation and they, A person was found with over two hundred thousand Belize dollars and that person was taken to income tax and the government forfeited over one hundred thousand of that money and so we have had good success from them.”

Reporter

“And the contraband.”

Chester Williams

“Yes, and also some contrabands in the North.”