Holbox, Q.R. — A kitchen gas leak has been the said cause of a devastating fire on the island of Holbox Thursday. At least one home and four businesses were destroyed by flames that started in a nearby restaurant yesterday afternoon.
Millions in losses are being reported after the fire quickly spread to nearby buildings. Firemen from the mainland town of Kantunilkin were on scene and able to prevent the fire from spreading further with assistance from volunteers.
According to Víctor Cortés, the Deputy Director of Inspection, the fire was caused by a gas leak in a restaurant’s kitchen area. Flames were fanned by wind gusts and quickly spread to a nearby daycare centre that was burned in the fire. The Centre was evacuated in time.
The fire also destroyed a hotel, at least one private home and an animal shelter, which was also successfully evacuated before flames arrived. The fire started Thursday afternoon that had islanders scrambling to try and put it out.
The fire is reported to have started from a gas leak in the kitchen of Mr. Happy’s restaurant. The fire started on Damero Street then quickly spread to Tintorera Street, eating its way through dry wood and papala grass roofs along the way.
Residents, island volunteers and police helped firemen battle the afternoon blaze that left a large area of the island in ruins.
Civil Protection and Firefighters spent hours battling the massive fire. When the flames were officially out, at least one home was lost and at least four businesses burned. A total of six people were injured. Three were treated for smoke inhalation and three for minor injures.
Lázaro Cárdenas mayor, Josué Nivardo Mena Villanueva, has not issued a public statement on the island’s devastating fire.
