Mahahual, Q.R. — A man seen on a security camera intentionally setting fire to a palapa has been arrested. Police took Miguel Ángel “N” into custody Thursday “for his probable responsibility in acts possibly constituting the crime of intentional damage in its form of fire in the town of Mahahual.”
Initally, the fire was believed started by the irresponsible use of fireworks, however, police have since said the fire was intentionally set. A private security camera captured the man police have identified as Miguel Ángel “N”, setting the fire.
December 25, 2025.
He was under the fourth palapa from the left where he set the grass structure on fire. According to the private security surveillance, it took 17 seconds for the grass to smoke and ingite and another 30 seconds for the entire area to burst into flames.
In a statement, the State Attorney General (FGE) reported that as a result of coordinated investigative actions, in coordination with the Secretariat of Citizen Security, they arrested a subject identified as Miguel Ángel “N” for his probable responsibility in acts possibly constituting the crime of intentional damage in its form of fire in the town of Mahahual.
According to initial investigations, the events took place early Thursday morning at a restaurant and beach club located on Huachinango Street.
“Following a field and office investigation, Miguel Ángel “N” was identified as the person who intentionally approached one of the palapas and set it on fire, causing the fire to spread and destroy approximately 250 palapas, as well as various recreational areas, furniture and equipment,” the FGE reported in an official statement.
“As a result of these events, the State Attorney General’s Office, in coordination with the State Police, carried out the corresponding procedures that allowed the arrest of the accused who was placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor,” they said.
The man in custody, Miguel Ángel “N”, is said to have been a Mahahual street vendor. He was seen walking toward the palapas at 2:52 a.m. by area residents.
In the short video, a man believed to be Miguel Ángel “N” is seen walking out from under the fourth palapa at around 3:00 a.m. He stops in the middle of the street and looks back, as though making sure the fire started.
It took approximately 47 seconds for the area to burst into flames.
The burned palapas and infrastructure are reported to belong to Kimbara, a beachside Caribbean cantina. Area residents have reported 60 palapas being consumed along with tables, chairs and 250 beach loungers, while firemen reported around 100 standing infrastructures burned in the fire.
The man was identified by locals who located and held him for SSC police. Authorities have not provided a possible motive for the intentionally set fire. Damage has been pegged at around two millions pesos.
December 25, 2025.
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