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“Independent” investigation into Youth Hostel fire launched

By on November 30, 2015
Rockville, Belize district

Rockville, Belize district

Belmopan, CAYO. Monday, November 30, 2015.  Police today released some information regarding the tragic fire at the Youth Hostel on Saturday afternoon that claimed the lives of three teenage girls.

The names of the three victims have been confirmed as sixteen year old Anna Melinda Carlos; fourteen year old Elizabeth McKoy and sixteen year old Shadisha Arnold.

Fire at Youth Hostel

Fire at Youth Hostel

According to police, their preliminary investigations revealed that one of the victims reportedly lit a pillow on fire and it got out of control and quickly engulfed the building trapping the three girls inside.

The bodies of the girls were found after the Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

In the aftermath of the tragic fire on Saturday afternoon, three employees of the Youth Hostel have been placed on administrative leave as an investigation to determine the facts of what actually occurred is ongoing.

When she spoke at a joint press conference this morning, the Director of the Community Rehabilitation Department Starla Bradley gave a preliminary sketch of the sequence of events that led to the death of the girls.

She explained that two female officers were on duty on Saturday when the fire broke out.

According to Bradley, those two officers tried desperately to get the door to the room where the girls were opened but they could not due to thick smoke and fire.

The head of the Community Rehabilitation department says that the entire incident has traumatized the other children housed at the facility as well as the staff who were present on Saturday.

Counselors have been assigned to work with the traumatized residents of the Youth Hostel and additional support from the Ministries of Health and Education has also been deployed.

Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Human Development Judith Alpuche has promised a full and thorough investigation to determine exactly what transpired on Saturday afternoon in order to fully deal with the incident.

The independent investigation of Saturday’s fire at the Youth Hostel is being led by former Director of the Family Court and current executive director of the National Committee for Families and Children Margaret Nicholas.

Oversight support for the investigation is being provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. A timeline for the conclusion of the investigation has not been laid out.

Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis Barrow

The Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow, today sent out a press release, expressing deepest condolences to the families of Ana Carlos, Elizabeth McKoy and Shadisha Arnold in light of their tragic and untimely passing.

The statement reads, “this deeply saddening incident is a harsh reminder of how imperative it is to always keep the best interest of our children at heart, both at home and in institutions.”

The Special Envoy also welcomed the naming of former Family Court Director Margaret Nicholas to lead the investigation into the matter and the oversight that will come from UNICEF.

2 Comments

  1. roberto belisle

    November 30, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    I would be grateful if the authorities can release my daughter from that institution. She did not commit and crime for her mother to place her there. Just because am not in belize presently she had no right to do that. I have custody of her on weekends. And I am providing for her. So government authorities please see what you can do for me. Thanks.

    Reply

  2. MNHG

    December 5, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    I HOPE THESE ASSHOLES THAT LOVE THE SPEED BUMPS SEE WHAT THEY HAVE CAUSED !!!!!!

    Reply

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