Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — A palapa restaurant on Isla Mujeres was saved with only minor damage after a Wednesday afternoon fire. Island firemen were called to the palapa restaurant Chichi’s ‘n Charlie’s in Playa Norte after a section of the grass roof began to smolder.
Restaurant staff were able to contain the smolder with fire extinguishers until the fire department arrived. Patrons gathered around the outside of the restaurant early Wednesday afternoon as Isla Mujeres firemen proceeded to soak the burning rooftop area.
Damage was kept to a minimum with only a small portion of grass actually burned. On the top exterior of the restaurant, surrounding grass was blackened.
In a brief statement the Policía de Isla Mujeres reported “an outbreak of fire was controlled in a timely manner thanks to the solidarity of the merchants of the central area with the help of the elements of the H. Fire Department and the General Directorate of Public Security.
“The events occurred shortly after noon on Wednesday, January 3, at the Chichis restaurant with no serious damage or injuries reported.” Authorities continue to investigate the official cause.