“Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of parts of the roof structures made of palm, as well as wind conditions.” That was the verdict of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) after flames tore through the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, on the Dominican Republic’s southeastern coast.
One guest did not get out. Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman, died in the blaze. Euronews, citing the Italian agency ANSA, reported that she lost consciousness after inhaling carbon monoxide when a thick cloud of smoke rolled onto the beach where she was helping with the evacuation. The Italian ambassador later met her husband at the hospital.
Roughly 1,700 people moved out
The fire broke out on Friday. Authorities moved about 1,700 tourists out of the resort and placed them in nearby hotels and housing; the Associated Press put the figure at roughly 1,690. Three people were treated at medical facilities and six more on site, a group that included guests, visitors and emergency responders. Drone footage showed dark smoke over the coastline as flames worked through buildings roofed with straw and palm thatch.
The COE said the situation was under control, although several buildings were completely destroyed. What started the fire is still under investigation.
Next door, the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, a sister property, came through undamaged and kept operating as usual.
Operator and officials respond
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts said it was saddened by the guest’s death. It described the affected hotel as independently operated and said it was closed and would stay that way until further notice.
The COE had a message for travelers too. “Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as normal,” it said.
The palm roofing and the wind are the officials’ early explanation for how a fire at one resort spread so fast. Whether the roof construction or anything else played a part beyond that is for the investigation to settle.
Sources
- Un gran incendio destruye un resort de lujo y deja una turista italiana muerta en Republica Dominicana (Euronews, translated)
- Woman killed, 1,700 evacuated in beach hotel fire in Dominican Republic (Yahoo News)
- Dominican resort fire: 1 dead, 1,700 tourists evacuated, says authorities (Daily Pioneer, Associated Press)
