By the WBWTN News Team | May 24, 2025
Orange Walk Town, Belize (WBWTN) — A mid-morning house fire erupted at a residence on Santa Anna Street in Orange Walk Town, sending plumes of smoke into the air and drawing swift response from the local fire department. The blaze broke out on the second floor of a red and white two-story building shortly before 10 a.m., prompting concern from neighbors and residents in the area.
The structure, which houses two separate tenants, suffered significant damage to the upper floor. According to early accounts, two sisters, aged 14 and 11, were home alone when the fire began. The older sibling was in another part of the house while the younger was in her bedroom on the eastern side, reportedly preparing to do laundry. Moments after stepping out briefly, the younger girl returned to find the room filled with smoke and flames concentrated around a Lasko fan and a pile of clothing.
The girls made an attempt to extinguish the fire themselves but were quickly overwhelmed. Realizing the danger, they fled the building and contacted their mother, who was at work at the time.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and managed to contain the blaze before it spread further. However, the entire upper floor, which measured approximately 30 by 20 feet, was gutted, with all household items completely destroyed. The lower floor, which houses a small business operation, sustained only water damage from the firefighting efforts.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. The building was not insured, and the estimated cost of the damages has yet to be determined. Local authorities and fire officials are continuing their inquiries into the cause of the blaze.