Tulum, Q.R. — Police were called to the scene of a burning rest stop palapa fire that was spotted along the Tulum-Boca Paila highway.
A passerby stopped to try and dose flames with the two small bottles of water he had on hand, but to no avail. The dry grass burned quickly as two police arrived on a quad followed by members of Protección Civil.
The fire was reported at 4:25 p.m. when Lucio Salvador, director of Protección Civil, arrived with a crew to try and control the flames until firemen arrived. The small palapa was eventually extinguished, but not before burning completely.
Shortly after flames were out, two men were arrested for allegedly intentionally setting the fire.
An employee with a private security firm told police that he had seen two men set the fire. One of the men was carrying a jug of fuel that he used to spray the palapa before setting it on fire.
Municipal police have arrested 47-year-old Sergio C.E. and 26-year-old José E.G., both from the state of Chiapas, for possible arson in the fire and complete destruction of the palapa. The pair are being held for the Attorney General of the State.
