By Belize Live News Staff: A late-night fire in San Pedro has claimed the life of 56-year-old Dary Blades, who was found dead inside a small wood-and-zinc building on SunFlower Street on Friday, August 8, 2025. The blaze broke out around 8:00 p.m., quickly engulfing the structure before firefighters could bring it under control.
According to ACP Hilberto Romero, police and fire personnel responded to the scene and discovered the building fully in flames. Once the fire was extinguished, a search revealed the charred remains of a man inside. The body was transported to the hospital, where a post-mortem examination is pending to confirm the exact cause of death. Authorities say the origin of the fire remains unknown.
Blades, originally from Ranchito Village in the Corozal District, had been living in the Quay area of San Pedro for years. He was known locally as the caretaker for the property, which was under construction.
His mother, Ofelia Vallejo, described him as a kind-hearted and cheerful man who was loved by everyone who knew him. “It gave me such a shock when I got the call,” she said. “He was a very loving person, always cheerful. I was happy.”
Police confirmed that the owner of the building was out of the country at the time of the incident. The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.
