Man Sets Fire to Home With Partner Inside in Playa del Carmen, Woman Rescued

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A woman narrowly escaped death after her partner allegedly locked her inside their home and set it on fire, authorities said.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Calle Playa Azul and Avenida Del Carmen in the Villamar 1 neighborhood. Neighbors alerted municipal authorities after seeing smoke and hearing the woman trapped inside.

Emergency responders from the Public Security Department, Civil Protection, and firefighters arrived and forced open the front door to rescue the woman, who was suffering from smoke inhalation. She was treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken to a hospital for further medical care.

According to witnesses, the couple had been arguing before the man left the house, locking the door behind him. He then threw a bottle containing flammable liquid onto the ground floor and set it on fire before fleeing.

The flames quickly spread, but the woman initially did not realize the danger until smoke became visible from outside. Neighbors shouted to alert others that someone was trapped inside.

Firefighters also rescued a pet from the backyard and removed a gas tank that could have exploded.

Officers from the Specialized Group for Attention to Family and Gender Violence (GEAVIG) provided legal support to the victim, who reported that the abuse had been ongoing and that this time the attacker tried to kill her in a cruel manner.

Police launched a search for the suspect but did not immediately locate him.

The Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation for attempted femicide, using testimony and evidence from the victim to track down the suspect.