Deadly fire tears through newly-renovated luxury hotel
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At least one person is dead after a fire ripped through a hotel resort in the Dominican Republic.
Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from the £350-a-night Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel as the flames spread quickly.
Preliminary investigations have not yet found what led to the fire, but it is believed to have spread rapidly through the luxury resort because of the palm roofs and windy conditions.
The woman who died was identified as Italian mother-of-two Francesca Valentino, 45, a dance teacher who had appeared in several TV shows and was on holiday at the time of her death in Bayahibe.
Three others were taken to medical centres and another six were treated on site while the country’s air force helped bring the fire under control.
Guests have been relocated to other nearby hotels, including the Wyndham Beach hotel’s sister hotel a short walk away and which did not suffer any damage.
Director Juan Manuel Mendez added: ‘The causes that caused the fire remain under investigation, and it will be the relevant technical commission in charge of establishing them once the emergency and evaluation work on site are completed.’
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) said: ‘Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as normal.’
The hotel, which had recently undergone a renovation, has started the process of cancelling people’s reservations.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are saddened that one guest perished, and we send our thoughts to the family while we await autopsy results to determine the cause.
‘At this time the hotel, which is independently owned and operated, is closed and will remain so until further notice.’