A fire in Tulum forced about 1,000 people to evacuate.Photo: Social Media
A fire that began around 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Jungle Market clothing store damaged several Tulum businesses and forced around 1,000 people to evacuate their quarters.
Firefighters extinguished the flames by 1:30 a.m. but remained at the scene until 3:30. The store was a total loss, but no injuries were reported and the source of the fire was unknown.
On Twitter, several users posted videos of the fire and speculated that flames spread so fast because of the traditional Mayan thatch roofs used in many of the structures. Last November, a fire at the Moon Place hotel in nearby Cancun started when a thatched palapa caught fire and quickly spread.
Social media feeds reflected widespread discontent with authorities in Tulum, who many perceive as not doing enough to protect locals and visitors from fire hazards.
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In recent months state authorities in Quintana Roo have also come under intense criticism for allegedly lax regulations with respect to COVID-19, which have allowed large restaurants, bars and nightclubs to continue operating at seemingly normal capacity.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht, PhD, is a journalist, photographer, and expedition leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway. Most recently, he earned a doctorate in Heritage Studies in 2026.
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