A devastating house fire in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, has exposed critical systemic failures, resulting in the tragic deaths of thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña and her six-year-old son, Tishan Godoy. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 20, 2025, and has since sparked widespread concern over the effectiveness of protective measures for vulnerable individuals.
Police have detained Francisco Godoy, a man with a history of violence against Magaña, in connection with the fire. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith reported that officers arrived to find the house fully engulfed in flames. Three individuals, including Godoy, were found with varying degrees of burns. The bodies of Magaña and her son were discovered after the fire was extinguished.
Neighbors recounted the rapid spread of the flames and expressed frustration over the delayed response of fire personnel, who took over an hour to arrive. Smith revealed that Godoy had recently been released from custody after pleading guilty to harming Magaña. Despite Magaña’s attempt to secure a restraining order on Friday, the courthouse’s operational hours prevented her from obtaining the necessary protection.
Smith highlighted a significant gap in the judicial process, noting that Godoy’s remand for a separate incident may have delayed the revocation of his bail. ‘The situation at hand created a window for him, and he took advantage of it,’ she stated. This tragic event underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent similar failures in the future.