Palm-thatched roofing and strong wind turned a fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe into a mass evacuation. Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian tourist, died. Authorities moved about 1,690 to 1,700 guests and staff, families with children among them, to nearby hotels and shelters.
Phone and drone videos showed thick black smoke and flames racing along the roofs. Crews fought the fire for hours. By the time it was under control, much of the beach hotel complex had been destroyed.
Three people went to hospital and at least six more were treated at the scene for smoke and other injuries. The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, a sister property in the same chain, escaped damage and kept operating.
Why it spread
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center pointed to the design of the resort itself. Early observations, it said, showed that parts of the roof were built from highly flammable palm, sometimes called cane or thatch, and that wind drove the flames across the property.
Fire research cited in coverage of the blaze finds that once thatch ignites, flames can pass through it very quickly, especially in wind. Embers carried by the wind can slip inside the layers, catch unseen and break out as a full roof fire that is hard to stop.
Synthetic thatch exists that imitates palm but carries a Class A fire rating, the highest standard, which sharply limits flame spread and burn-through. Natural thatch still appears on many tropical resorts as part of the look.
What is not known
The cause of the fire has not been established. Reports say it broke out on Friday and moved fast through thatched structures in windy conditions.
Viva Resorts by Wyndham, the operator, said it is working with local authorities and will not comment further while the investigation continues. Officials said broader tourism in Bayahibe goes on “safely and as normal.”
