SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 20 (Our Florida Times) — A fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, killed one Italian tourist and forced authorities to evacuate 1,690 people, emergency officials said Friday.
The Dominican Republic Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services identified the victim as Francesca Valentino, 46. Officials said at least nine other people were treated for injuries, and three were taken to off-site medical facilities.
The Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Center said the blaze was contained and that guests were moved to alternative accommodations. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said its hotel teams evacuated guests and staff and that the property would remain closed until further notice.
Authorities said tourism activity in Bayahibe and the surrounding area was not disrupted. The nearby Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace was not damaged and was operating normally, according to the Emergency Operations Center.
Preliminary observations cited by authorities said the fire spread quickly because of wind and the flammable palm-roof structures at the resort.
The fire broke out Friday at the beachfront resort on the Dominican Republic’s southeastern coast, a destination used by international travelers and package-holiday visitors.
