Trapich, Mexico — A fast-moving fire destroyed two homes in the Maya community of Trapich on Tuesday, leaving a family homeless after an electrical short sparked flames that quickly consumed the structures.
The fire, which began in the early afternoon, spread rapidly through the homes built with traditional regional materials including wood and dried palm thatch, known locally as guano. Residents and the homeowner attempted to fight the blaze with buckets of water but were unable to contain it.
“The dry thatch allowed the fire to envelop the roof in just minutes,” said Faustino Hochín, the municipal sub-delegate. “You could see the flames from several blocks away, and thick smoke rose high into the air.”
No injuries were reported in the incident, though the family lost all their possessions. Hochín called on residents of Felipe Carrillo Puerto to support the family, who lost their entire home and belongings.
Firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze, but not before both structures were completely destroyed. The incident highlights the vulnerability of traditional housing materials to fire in rural communities across the Yucatan Peninsula.
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