At approximately 9:25PM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, the San Pedro Fire Department responded to a residential fire on Mullet Street in the San Pablo area near San Marcos. The blaze affected a white, two-storey concrete structure with a zinc roof and wooden balcony. Fire Chief Kenneth Mortis led firefighting efforts that prevented the fire from spreading further. However, significant damage was sustained in the upper flat, which is a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom unit. The lower flat was not affected by flames, though fire, heat, and water damage caused extensive losses upstairs.
Initial investigations by fire officials and police indicate that the fire originated on the wooden deck and patio. Authorities reported that a refrigerator on the deck caught fire, igniting nearby materials. Surveillance footage from the homeowners’ camera system reportedly captured the initial spark, which is believed to have ignited the flames inside the residence.
Tragically, one of three dogs housed at the property died on the balcony during the incident.
The residence is owned by 51-year-old Hilton Claasen, 35-year-old Ambar Ayala, and their ten-year-old daughter. The family was out of the country, attending to family matters at the time of the fire. The caretaker, 19-year-old Jaiton Claasen, a Belizean-American and son of Hilton Claasen, alerted authorities after receiving camera alerts and reviewing the surveillance footage.
Jaiton Claasen informed police that the house was unoccupied at the time of the incident and that his father was notified remotely after observing the refrigerator sparking on the balcony. Fire Chief Mortis confirmed that while the point of origin was identified as the wooden deck area, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined despite a thorough post-fire investigation, including scene processing and photography conducted by police.
Authorities also confirmed that neither the structure nor its contents were insured, leaving the family with total losses of household belongings and their pet. Community members assisted with cleanup efforts, and fundraising initiatives have since been launched to support the affected family. A GoFundMe page (https://shorturl.at/Z3HLn) and a Belize Bank account (196112010220000) under the name Ambar Elisabeth Ayala have been established to receive donations.
Officials noted that incidents like this underscore the importance of proper fire safety practices and adequate insurance coverage for residential properties in San Pedro. Further assessments will be carried out to determine the full extent of the damage.
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