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5 Ways You Can Help San Pedro Fire Survivors

by tacogirl 27/06/2016
written by tacogirl 27/06/2016
Middle Street fire San Pedro Belize

My heart is heavy today. I woke up to the news that all the buildings between Lino’s Meat and Graniels were badly hit by a fire last night. As I walked home and saw the devastation in my neighborhood and the streets with downed power-lines it made me think just how fragile life can be. One minute everything is normal the next it can all be gone. So many of us take that for granted every day.

As I sit here writing I can smell the lingering smoke and it is making it hard for me to concentrate, I keep thinking about everyone who just lost it all in the blink of an eye 🙁

The silver lining to that is watching the San Pedro community spring to action to help our most vulnerable and do what we can to get them back on their feet. I would like to recognize those who were part of the late-night bucket brigade. There were some amazing members of the community working tirelessly to help douse the fire and those helping get the word out.

 5 Ways You Can Help

  1. Should you want to make a cash donation from afar, please go to South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch donation page. Update September 2016; Fire Victims donation site closed – Thank you!
  2. The Lions Den is open and accepting donations for fire survivors. All US Lions clubs can accept donations directly for “LIONS CLUB SAN PEDRO BELIZE FIRE RELIEF”. They will distribute and they need everything. Please go through your things and see what you have to donate.
  3. If you have the ability to do so go to Wings, Caye Supplies and A&R for household items. No donation is too small – imagine right now if you were suddenly left with only what you were wearing.
  4. If you are coming down anytime soon please consider what you can bring. A trip to dollar store for household items or some gently used things.
  5. Watch local news, Belize blogs, Facebook and Reef TV for news of the upcoming telethon and dollar drive. This will take place Thursday from 7:00am-5:00pm

More Help Is On The Way

The Mayor has called a meeting with several NGO’s to put a plan in practice. On behalf of the Belize Red Cross – San Pedro Branch Chairman Eiden Salazar, Vice Chair Ashty Dennison and Ordinary Member Kristin Olgita Marin will attend.

Fire on Pescadore Drive San Pedro

Small store beside Lino’s

Middle Street fire San Pedro Belize

a row of buildings was gutted

 San Pedro Belize fire victims need help

Please help if you can in any way

Fire on Pescadore Drive San Pedro

Ground zero situation please help if you can

Middle Street fire San Pedro Belize

Gutted shells of buildings

Fire on Pescadore Drive San Pedro

Inside of Cortez Upholstery

I am sharing my video footage and this one last picture below taken by Ambergris Today News Paper that really hits home on how much we have to pull together right now and help. For more pictures of the fire please visit – Robert Hawkins Blog – San Pedro fire leaves 26 families homeless, 11 buildings burned; focus turns to cleanup, donations for victims. San Pedro Sun reports – 88 San Pedro residents affected by devastating fire, Ambergris Today – Massive Downtown Fire Almost Destroys Entire Block in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and San Pedro Scoop – Devastating Fire on San Pedro’s Busy Middle Street Burns Businesses & Homes to the Ground.

San Pedro fire aerial picture by Ambergris Today

Ambergris Today aerial view of area damaged by the fire

 Symptoms and Treatment for Smoke Inhalation

If you know of anyone who was at the fire or breathing in smoke, please share the information below.

Smoke is a noxious stimulant to the human respiratory system. When you suffer from smoke inhalation, your body does not get the oxygen it needs to do its job and the lungs can easily be damaged as a result. It can also set off allergic-type reactions in the body, especially in people with a preexisting respiratory condition or a weakened immune system due to a recent cold or illness.

Not everyone who has been near a fire will feel the symptoms of smoke inhalation. Even if you do not feel anything immediately it is important to watch for symptoms. Drinks lots of water to stay hydrated and flush out your system and eat healthy to help keep your immune system high.

Common Symptoms of Smoke Inhalation Requiring First Aid:

  • Headaches
  • Stinging or watery eyes
  • Irritated sinuses and scratchy throat
  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heartbeat and lightheartedness

Treatment for Smoke Inhalation

  • Consult a doctor Immediately
  • Deep breaths of fresh air
  • Drink plenty of water  at least eight ounces every two hours
  • Increase the following 2 vitamins in your diet.
  • Take vitamin C –  Helps the immune system work properly to protect the body. Did you know smokers need 30% – 35% more vitamin C because of  high level carcinogens in their bodies from smoking?
  • Take Vitamin A -It helps keep the mucus lining of the lungs healthy to adequately release foreign particles. Now that is good housekeeping ?

See foods high in vitamin C and foods high in vitamin A. for a list of healthy eating options.

More technical information from how the lungs work, source family education. Posting it for Dr. Al and anyone who wants to learn more about the how the human body works. Now comes the cleaning-up part. The alveoli also contain mucous cells with membrane “arms” called cilia. Cilia resemble sweeping, swaying tentacles. The dust catches on the cilia and is swayed back, out of the lung, into the part of the throat (the esophagus) that leads to the stomach. Acids in the stomach area begin to make short shrift of the “poison.” Your body cells receive the clean oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide waste that is exhaled out of your lungs.

Unfortunately, when you become overcome with smoke, this process of “cleaning,” receiving, and eliminating breaks down. There are just too many foreign particles for the cilia to sweep them all away. Even the automatic “defense mechanisms” of sneezing and coughing will not help clear your lungs of smoke. They are merely a drop in the bucket.

When you suffer from smoke inhalation, your body does not get the oxygen it needs to do its job and the lungs can become damaged as well.

Related

tacogirl

Laurie Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

previous post
Celebrating Inspiration and Points for Pineapples
next post
No Fund Me’s Please and Important San Pedro Fire Updates

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11 comments

Michelle Sage 02/07/2016 - 8:31 am

We are coming in two weeks and would love to bring donations to help. Anything specific? We’d hate to bring things that aren’t most needed.

Reply
tacogirl 03/07/2016 - 8:07 am

Michelle. I would say household items you could get lots at a dollar store type shop for the price compared to here. Another option would be food and groceries here to be handed out. They were also putting a call for Lino’s gift certificates (our local meat shop) so that all the affected families were able to get help in that area.

Reply
Debbie Styles 28/06/2016 - 5:49 am

I donated on South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch website and it was super easy! I know they will decide where to best use the funds.

Reply
tacogirl 28/06/2016 - 7:28 am

It all goes to the Lions to get distributed Debbie. Many groups working together but they will handle the final counts.

Reply
Mike Assar 27/06/2016 - 8:31 pm

This is heart breaking. Can someone set up an online donation web site for people to go and donate cash?

Reply
tacogirl 27/06/2016 - 8:35 pm

South Ambergris Caye link to one already set up see in post above. Donations can also be made at any USA Lions Den. All NGO’s here will do their part and turn over to Lions Den.

Reply
pepper carpenter 27/06/2016 - 8:01 pm

Hi Laurie, We will be coming back in town next week. We go Southwest and can check two bags free. I typically don’t use that and just pack lightly with a carryon. But in these circumstances, I could pack clothes and shoes for the kids in those extra bags. I’m going to let our renters know and suggest they do the same.
Let me know if there are certain items, otherwise clothes and shoes.

Reply
tacogirl 27/06/2016 - 8:08 pm

Shoes would be great Pepper, lots of clothing getting donated. Any general house hold items are good too please.they are starting from Scratch. It can all be brought to Lions Den in town.

Reply
Mary 27/06/2016 - 5:05 pm

My family is coming down to San Pedro next week from Los Angeles . What is most needed that we could bring? So sorry to hear about this .

Reply
tacogirl 27/06/2016 - 8:06 pm

Any household items Mary and shoes. Lots of clothing being donated.

Reply
SPmQQse 27/06/2016 - 3:24 pm

brings tears….to be sure…!!

Reply

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I just returned from my trip to Belize in mid-June 2022. I had been planning the trip weeks / months in advance and... Laurie (taco girl) wasextremely helpful in preparation for my trip. Her intimate knowledge as an expat who was ONCE a tourist, really helps because she is able to share first hand knowledge of how a tourist can explore Ambergis Caye like a "temporary local". An example of this, was she recommended 2 yoga classes for my wife to enjoy while on vacation that we would not have known about otherwise and the class was far better than a class arranged by a hotel, as you get the local experience not a staged one. In addition, she was helpful in providing recommendations for dinner and sharing some discounts she has arranged with local retailers. Reviewing the taco girl blog and reaching out to Laurie is like having a tour guide, but more important a tour guide that KNOWS Belize.read more
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22:52 16 Jun 22
From the perspective of a couple preparing for a permanent move to Belize, Laurie has been enthusiastically helpful in... both answering our questions and connecting us with local resources for our move. Highly recommend you contact her and make use of her valuable services!!!read more
Darrell Moore
Darrell Moore
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Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
B W
B W
18:01 08 Feb 22
Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
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Kristi Palm
20:40 12 Oct 21
We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
D Zep
D Zep
12:39 01 Oct 21
Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
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Kelley Adams
20:19 21 Sep 21
We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
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I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
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Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
Ty Willingham
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01:47 20 Aug 21
I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
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I am very glad I found you and asked you a question about a spice in Belize. You helped me figure out the name of it... and where i could buy it. You went above and beyond to help. Thanks again.read more
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I am so grateful for the time and energy Laurie has taken to share about her experiences traveling to and living in... Belize as well as provide thorough recommendations for planning a trip there. I was so thankful (and honestly surprised) that Laurie took the time to respond to several of my questions via email. I highly recommend reading Laurie's blogs and helping to support her business. Thank you Laurie!!read more
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tacogirl was very nice to share her knowledge with us and assisted with planning our trip to Belize; thank you for the... help and info, it was helpful and allowed us to plan utilize our time accordingly while both on the mainland and islands of this great country.read more
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18:46 02 Jun 21
As a Canadian—tired of long winters—I cannot wait to spend some time in Belize. I haven't set foot yet, but I am... yearning for lots of Caribbean adventure. Thanks so much to tacogirl for her endless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. She is a constant stream of up-to-date information. Her knowledge and love of the area is priceless, and I will need her expertise for future endeavours!read more
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Kathleen Ward
18:29 02 Jun 21
We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
ksniegoc1
ksniegoc1
17:45 02 Jun 21
It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
Myra F
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01:30 25 Mar 21
I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
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Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
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21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
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I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
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I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
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Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
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20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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