Kitchen fire at Playa del Carmen restaurant, no injuries

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — A fire broke out in the kitchen of the restaurant La Casa de los Abuelos located in Plaza las Américas, prompting the evacuation of staff from a nearby gym and pet store. No injuries were reported, though the incident caused material damage.

Evacuation and Emergency Response

The alarms were activated around 2:00 p.m. after a flare-up on one of the stoves ignited ceiling panels in the restaurant’s kitchen. Staff and diners immediately followed evacuation protocols, gathering at the plaza’s parking lot as a safety measure.

Smoke from the fire triggered alarms in an upstairs gym, requiring the evacuation of patrons and employees. A neighboring pet store was also evacuated, with both staff and animals relocated as a precaution.

Emergency services, including Civil Protection, Public Safety personnel, an ERUMEN ambulance unit, and firefighters, arrived at the scene. The fire had already been contained using the restaurant’s fire extinguishers before authorities completed extinguishing efforts.

Limited Impact and Reopening

The incident did not necessitate a full evacuation of the plaza, as only the affected area—a relatively new entrance near Avenida Central—was secured. After Civil Protection and fire officials confirmed no further risks, the gym and pet store were permitted to reopen.

The restaurant, however, remains closed for cleanup and repairs, with operations suspended until further notice.