Tulum, Quintana Roo — A woman and a child suffered burn injuries Wednesday afternoon when a man threw bottles filled with fuel into a rooming house in Tulum’s Centro neighborhood, authorities said.
The attack occurred at the intersection of Mercurio and Alfa Sur streets, where neighbors reported screams and fire, prompting a large emergency response. Witnesses said the suspect hurled several glass bottles containing fuel into the property, igniting flames that damaged part of the building and a parked motorcycle, which was completely destroyed.
Paramedics treated the injured woman and child at the scene before transporting them to a hospital for further evaluation.
Residents said the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and other substances at the time of the attack, which escalated tensions among family members and neighbors who tried to subdue him. A brawl broke out in the street as people attempted to prevent him from fleeing.
Firefighters contained and extinguished the blaze before it could spread to nearby homes. Police cordoned off the area to allow emergency work and collect evidence.
The suspect initially escaped amid the chaos but was later located and arrested in the Dos de Octubre neighborhood invasion zone. Authorities said he was taken into custody on charges of resisting arrest after he fought officers. Neighbors and victims also accused him of previous domestic violence and aggressive behavior.
The victims received support to file formal complaints with the State Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect was handed over to the Public Ministry, which will determine his legal status and continue the investigation into the arson and injuries.
