Tulum, Quintana Roo — A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Bahía Príncipe hotel complex in Tulum, prompting the evacuation of more than 500 people and causing significant material damage. The blaze, which destroyed eight palapas, was brought under control overnight by personnel from Tulum’s Civil Protection and Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
Over 500 Evacuated as Firefighters Battle Flames
Sergio Canto, Director of Civil Protection and Firefighters in Tulum, confirmed that 33 personnel were deployed to combat the fire, using approximately 120,000 liters of water to contain its spread. As part of safety protocols, the affected area and surrounding zones were evacuated.
A total of 500 individuals were relocated, including:
- 150 construction workers
- 150 service employees
- 200 hotel guests
Guests were promptly relocated to other villas within the same resort to ensure their safety.
Fire Originated in Unfinished Palapa
Preliminary reports indicate the fire began in a palapa under construction, which allegedly lacked fire-retardant treatment. This allowed the flames to quickly spread to nearby structures. Firefighters worked through the night to fully extinguish the blaze and secure the area.
A video shared on social media showed thick smoke rising from the Bahía Príncipe Grand Coba hotel, visible from the federal highway.
Separate Fire Incident at Soriana Store
In an unrelated incident, a small fire broke out Monday at a Soriana retail store. Fifteen firefighters, two coordinators, and six operational personnel responded with the support of three water trucks, Public Security officers, and Public Services staff. The quick intervention prevented injuries, with only minor material damage reported.
Authorities continue to investigate the causes of both incidents.
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