Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Municipal authorities are investigating a case of suspected arson after three public palapa structures were found on fire. Three shade palapas in the sand at Playa 72 in central Playa del Carmen were found burning early Tuesday morning.
Staff from the Federal Maritime Land Zone (Zofemat) arriving for work found the structures burning shortly after 5:30 a.m. They tried to put out the three fires themselves with assistance from nearby neighbors who also saw the palapas burning, however, they were not able to save them.
Municipal Police officers were called in to start an investigation after Zofemat personnel heard reports of two people seen near the palapas at the time of the fire.
According to Irving Lili Madrigal, the Director of PDC Zofemat, after police left, crews worked Tuesday to dig up the destroyed palapas and remove them from the beach for safety reasons.
Lili Madrigal said surveillance in the coastal area will be strengthened to prevent further incidents.
