Holbox, Q.R. — A bolt of lightning from a passing thunderstorm is being blamed for a Holbox palapa fire. Island firemen rushed to the scene of the burning hut that was reported smoldering after being struck Thursday afternoon.
When firemen arrived, the top of the palapa had advanced into flames that were quickly extinguished. Firemen proceeded to hose the dry grass, eliminating the fire and its ability to spread to other nearby palapa huts.
The incident was reported around 4:00 p.m. with the passing of a thunderstorm when a bolt of lightning hit a palapa-topped hut on Pedro Joaquín Coldwell Street.
Civil Protection announced that the incident occurred in the Punta Cocos area in the western part of the island. No injuries were reported.
According to the fire department, the hut was vacant at the time it was hit. Due to the heavy rain that accompanied the thunder and lightning, flames were not able to spread as quickly.
