Another fire in Paamul last night

[bedeaway]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

Actually, each of the adjoining palapas suffered some fire damage as well. The neighbors were out in force helping everyone clean up this morning. It's all fixable, thank goodness.

We did hear that the one that suffered the most damage had fire-treated their palapa roof. Apparently, this made a HUGE difference as it took a very long time for the flames to make much progress on it. I think if it hadn't been, the damage would have been MUCH more widespread than it was. The bomberos definitely need all the help they can get as there was only one nozzle between the two trucks that first arrived - someone had stolen the other. Once they got going strong though, they did an excellent job. Yay, Playa Bomberos!

Scary, scary night.

EDIT: And Heather, my phone battery was dying and we didn't have power, so that's why you couldn't reach me - sorry!

I hope you guys have fire treated your palapa roof - if not maybe you should! Glad to hear everyone is safe!

[lolabella]

Rick and Susie...I'm so glad to hear that you and your neighbors were not harmed at all! Those pictures are shocking!

Hooray for the Bomberos and all the heroes of Paamul who worked together to put the fire out!!

[Tommygurl]

Glad you both are okay! Thank goodness the couple that was sleeping got out in time! It could have been so much worse! Must have been scary!

Hugs to you all!

[Rissask]

I am so glad you guys are okay, and the damage was minimal. Very scary!

[MWC]

What a scary thing to wake up to -- I'm really glad everyone is okay!

[Susie Q Roo]

Everyone on the Paamul mailing list received this email this evening:

Around 2 am this morning (Good Friday), the roof of Jack and Evelynn's palapa (formerly Frank and Lisa, next to Bart on the back row) caught fire reportedly from a sparking high wire above the roof. The fire was contained to their palapa thru the quick response and efforts of many Paamul residents using the fire extinguishers from around the park and the response of the playa fire department. The walls and trailer are still standing, as well as the upright poles and some of the roof. There was minor damage to the two adjacent palapas. Jack and Evelynn did have insurance on their palapa, but have only been owners for a couple of months. Most of their personal property was already loaded in their truck as they were planning on returning to Canada Friday morning.

Interestingly enough, though... I was awake reading (shame on me) and I heard a loud pop, and then something closer to a boom, at the time our power went out. (Actually had the thought at that time that I hoped whatever happened didn't start a fire, because it was obviously some electrical snafu. So I wasn't really surprised to hear when someone came running past shouting about it 15-20 min later.) I'm thinking something actually blew, but the transformers were all fine today. Who knows?

Someone's also scheduled a happy hour get-together on Sunday to honor everyone here who worked so hard to minimize the damage and help clean up today. It's a nice community, mostly.

[manne's susie]

...........I'm so sorry for everybody involved......
I just can imagen how they feel.
But great that nobody got seriosly injured.


We already donated the money of the drinks for the THREE LEGGED BAR CROWL, but we would like to help also the people from Paamul.

Our idea:

during the Race tomorrow, we are going to donate for each beer what the people drink 6 Pesos to the affected persons from Paamul.

Come and drink a lot of beer

Since we live also in a house with palapa we know how it feels like to live with the knowledge about the possiblity of a fire. Good for them that they had an insurance. About our palapa we couldn't find any insurance which would accept us.

see you
Susie

[Heather]

Originally Posted by manne's susie

...........I'm so sorry for everybody involved......
I just can imagen how they feel.
But great that nobody got seriosly injured.


We already donated the money of the drinks for the THREE LEGGED BAR CROWL, but we would like to help also the people from Paamul.

Our idea:

during the Race tomorrow, we are going to donate for each beer what the people drink 6 Pesos to the affected persons from Paamul.

Come and drink a lot of beer

Since we live also in a house with palapa we know how it feels like to live with the knowledge about the possiblity of a fire. Good for them that they had an insurance. About our palapa we couldn't find any insurance which would accept us.

see you
Susie

Susie and Manne, I think you are two of the kindest, most loving people I've ever had the honor of knowing. I think you're the only bar that's donating the drinks for tomorrow's Three Legged Race, and yet here you are giving more on top of that. I hope someday that I can be as giving and full of love as you.

[Opatije]

Glad to hear everything is Ok...Good Luck

[Joana]

Gosh- what a night that must have been for all involved.

Glad that noone got seriously hurt....... and awesome to see how the community pulls together once again!!

[Daddy B]

Saw Babs last night, showed me the pictures of the fire, and the pictures of himself showing pictures of the fire to the firechief.

He's ever so proud of it.

[4wheeled]

wow! that is scary. glad for the mostly positive outcome.

fire treating palapas, now there is a potential business opportunity ....if there is cost effective technology available.

[Yucatanned]

Support your local Bombero! One of the first things I'm going to do when I get in town this week is get to the Ferry Dock and buy a couple t-shirts and make a donation. See ya'll in 4 days

[rob mackay]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

we just now got power restored
this is our biggest fear in Paamul...fire with acres and acres of dry tinder palapas
An electrical line, due to the salt water on the line and the light rain, began arcing and caught the palapa on fire.
Before the bomberos arrived, we scavenged all of the fire extinguishers we could find (30 to 40) and attempts were made to fight the fire, but with little success. And a couple local heros experienced some pretty intense jolts when they got a bit too close to the downed lines.
When the bomberos arrived, they attempted to douse the flames, but they too were experiencing some wicked shocks.
Eventually the power was cut and the fire was brought under control.
Five trucks and crews were here to fight the fire.
We are thankful for the sudden decrease in winds last night, the light rain just before the fire and, of course, the bomberos which no doubt saved us from something potentially devastating.
Give it up folks for the bomberos!!




this will give you an idea how much ash was in the air

Hi Babs is it in the back row, ? it looks like a spot i remember near dennises

[rob mackay]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

yes..a Canadian couple were sleeping. They were heading back to Canada this morning so they had the windows boarded up until their return next fall. They couldn't see or hear anything. Just across the road, some Mexicans on holiday saw what was happening and ran over and pounded on their door to get them out. Good thing those guys were playing cards outside at 3 in the morning.

who, was it in the back row