Villager Appeals for Water Bowsers to Fight Fires

The wooden structure was small, measuring just fifteen-by-ten feet, but losing his friend is what really hurts Smith. He shared that Hamilton was always willing to run errands for anyone in the village. Now, the community is planning a candlelight vigil for Tuesday night to honor him. Smith is also appealing for water bowsers to be placed in villages prone to bush fires. This idea is currently being considered by the National Fire Service Belize District Station Officer, Gladstone Bucknor.

 

Godwin Smith, Friend of Deceased

“This is a major loss. This is hurtful. But like I say, I send message to the village of them and I ask them to please “Whenever, when a light a fire, unu try to protect it, because no use of saying dehn da bush fire and da fire weh people  light. I ask – mek wa appeal to the village council and say, for five years I di lobby, at least we could get wa water truck go at the police station. At least when we call the police, they got some kind of equipment fi help wi because the distance ah weh the fire truck deh, when they come, with dehn kinda leaf ya the place done burn down, but if you have a water bowser, the police could save life and house.”

 

Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize District

“The guy went out, they were outing bushfires at the time. He was fatigued, he went inside and he was sleeping and we don’t – well, the investigator hasn’t come back and said, “Yes, that the fire actually run towards the building and started the fire. The department along with the Ministry they’re looking into putting in fire stations throughout the villages, particularly Hattieville and probably through Boom area. They’re looking at that. I haven’t confirmed us yet, but that’s one of the main areas they’re looking at. Bushfires actually cause a lot of damage, especially – you can remember the one in PG just by bushfire alone, cause so many damages.”