just got an early am call from placecencia---big explosive fire last night---purple space monkey is totally gone, (oh no! the book exchange!) several houses and gift shops nearby also all gone. fire nearly took out the police station and was put out by locals with buckets of water! heard no one was hurt, just property damages.

Dang Glad no one was Hurt

Oh my!! Sorry to hear that.

Very sad to hear that, glad no one was injured. do they know the cause of the fire?

http://www.placencia.com./PlacenciaBelizeCurrentNews.htm
news update and photos
donations needed

Barbara K, with all that has happened on AC lately $$$ is low right now. However I will remember the families in my prayers.

I am not soliciting or collecting - just passing the info on. Believe it or not, there ARE other places and people in Belize besides SP

Attitude is a little uncalled for

I am sorry to hear this news. I loved Placencia when I was there last year.

Well, this is the Ambergris Caye bulletin board Barb, so that's what most who visit here are interested in getting information about. No slight to the rest of the fine citizenry of Belize, I'm sure. Thanks for posting information and pictures.

I just heard through a phone call tonight from a friend who lives in Placencia that the fire started in a man's house from a candle and subsequently caused an explosion at the Purple Space Monkey. I am happy to hear no one was injured.

MYAKO, check the topic, AC and other parts of Belize.
I myself, would like to have some more info on the rest of Belize, as this info could impact us all, maybe not this fire, but other info we hear, something like Oil, Trade, other resorts in the country.
Some of us have adopted all of Belize, not just AC.
I am a investor on AC, property, and check info in all sections, looking for info I can use, or get educated as to all sort of topics, like the topic on Septic Tanks, which mentions different areas of Belize.
Keep the info flowing.

Steve,

Since you have adopted all of Belize, you may want to register here...

http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Try this for some recent IMPORTANT news. Surprised not to see any mention of it here. Guess I will get flak for even posting it but this stuff has got to be known by potential tourists to the area. I am getting cancellations for Pine Ridge hotels...
http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=000235;p=2

I have been following this thread and noticed the warnings are mostly for back, unpaved roads. What about the Western Highway, between Belize City and San Ignacio? Other than bad drivers, etc. have there been any problems there lately?

Not that I have heard of.

Just bad drivers.

Thanks. Planning on a couple days in Corozal, down to San Ignacio for a few more, with a stop at the Zoo, and a day trip to Tikal, then back to
Belize City by way of Old Belize Museum for a hop to AC. Leaving June 17, can't wait, and plan to rent a car for the first 5 days. Will only drive paved roads during day light hours, and will take organized tour to Tikal. Guess a rental phone would be a good idea as well. Thinking Crystal for car. Any suggestions?

Wet western highway with loose gravel can be quite dangerous so keep that in mind whilst traveling.
Barb, the bad pr for MPR has been all over the media (maybe not as immediate as it should have been) including a letter to members from BTIA.

Yes, it is quite a big topic on the belizeforums as well. Very unfortunate situation.