BELIZE CITY–One car was completely destroyed and another car damaged by a fire that police believe was intentionally set — arson. The fire took place at about 1:30 this morning on Peten Street in the Belama Phase 4 area of Belize City.

A 4-door Volkswagen Jetta car with license plates C-36554, owned by Hugh Bowden, 23, valued at $22,000, was completely destroyed, and the other car, a Nissan Morano with license plates BZ C-36386, valued at $28,000, owned by his father, Hugh Bowden, Sr., 57, a mechanic, sustained damage estimated at about $15,000.

The vehicle of Bowden, Jr., was insured.

The Fire Service said that the fire started from the vehicle belonging to Bowden, Jr., and the flames arched over to the rear portion of his father’s vehicle.

The Fire Service has not yet determined the cause of the fire, but they said that they are not ruling out arson.

Bowden, Jr., told police that at about 1:30 this morning, he was sleeping in his bed in his family’s home at 195 Peten Street, Belama Phase 4, when he was awakened and told that his vehicle, which was parked in front of their house, was burning. He quickly rushed outside to check and saw his car in flames, burning furiously, and he also saw that the rear portion of his father’s vehicle was also ablaze.

The Belama Fire Service responded promptly and quickly put out the fires.

Amandala was told that Bowden, Jr., had been involved in an altercation with a person earlier yesterday. He drove home his vehicle at about 9:00 last night and parked it in front of his family’s house, about four feet from his father’s vehicle, which was parked in their driveway, and went to sleep.

Police are investigating the matter.