Paamul Fire

**james** · 02-13-2004

Apparently a very serious fire swept through Paamul village today. I don't have much news yet, but check back here for details.

**denisea** · 02-13-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by "The San Diego Union-Tribune"

[b][b]

ASSOCIATED PRESS

9:01 a.m. February 13, 2004

TULUM, Mexico – A fire at a park near the tourist town of Playa del Carmen forced dozens of motor homes to flee to a nearby highway, but no injuries were reported, emergency officials said Friday.

A short circuit started the fire late Thursday, said emergency official Salvador Arguea. It consumed a restaurant and some 20 beach huts used to protect tourists from the sun before it was put out before dawn Friday.

The park is popular with U.S. retirees, and many had to start their motor homes and flee the fire overnight. Most were parked along a nearby highway Friday waiting to see if they could return.

**james** · 02-13-2004

I visited Paamul today to check it out. Obviously, if you lost your place, you are really bumming, but it could have been much worse. No one was injured but like 8 or 9 palapas went up and the big central restaurant and dive shop. I snapped a bunch of pictures that I'll post here. Not right now, though. I'm going to dinner.

**denisea** · 02-14-2004

Por Esto! has an article about the fire available online --- click here. The article is in spanish, however, if you use an online translator you'll be able to get the basic gist of the story.

roni · 02-14-2004

Holy Cow! We were there twice on our trip and had breakfast at the restaurant. A retired couple from Dallas gave us a tour of their custom builit palapa with bathroom, kitchen and living..and their travel trailer incorporated into it. They were divers and lived there year around.

Enrique was our server both times we were there. Lovely place, great coffee, wonderful people--being May it was not near full when we were there. Glad to hear there were no injuries, but saddened nonetheless.

Ron

FlyGirl · 02-15-2004

Sad to learn of the news. We were there twice last week. Enjoyed the convenience of the restaurant, dive shop, and the close proximity to good off-beach snorkeling. Please post latest photos.

Munichchick · 02-15-2004

That is very sad to hear but we are so glad no one got hurt. We liked the Restaurant at Paamul and met Heidi from Germany and her husband there. They gave us and my parents a nice tour of their little paradise where they live year round and showed us around. Many of the RV's where very stationary and I am sure this is a big loss for some people. A life dream gone up in flames! Our hearts go out to everyone that lost their little Paradise and we hope it can be replaced.

**james** · 02-16-2004

I talked to some witnesses that said there were lots of flying embers around and everyone was trying to hose down their palapas, many of which had RVs under them. Many of the RVs are quite permanently places so there wasn't an option to move them. Those that could were moved out.

ok, here come some images.

apparently the fire started here from a hot water heater

no wonder aloe is good for burns. this stuff really held up.

this propane tank got pulled out just in time

the restaurant

diveshop

smoked swordfish anyone?

Munichchick · 02-17-2004

Oh No! That fire really did some damage. These unfortunate people. Very sad.

WAXIEDOS · 02-17-2004

The owners who lived in the burned units were the greatest! Let's all wish for the best of luck and a bright future for them all.

Munichchick · 02-17-2004

I second that! Best whishes for re-building and re-creating their Paradise in Paamul again. Hugs to all the Owners!!!

dougie46 · 02-18-2004

This is such a tragedy. We had been looking very seriously into retiring at Paamul. We met a few of the residents and talked quite a bit to the people at the restaurant that looked after the rentals. Everyone was very friendly and made you feel so welcome. Our hearts go out to all that lost their places there and also to the businesses owners as well.
Dougie and Linda

02-18-2004

The fire was/is a tragedy, but this post is about the part of Dougie's were he talks of thinking of retirement there.

We have talked about it also....but when you think of the cost of construction in Mexico, one can have a nice house for the US cost of an RV sturdy enough to live in full-time. The location at Paamul, though, is gorgeous. Trailer part in paradise is how I remember referring to it.

Ron

dougie46 · 02-18-2004

Ron,
You are so right. This spot is exactly what we are looking for, and unfortunately only a rental spot...to buy here would be ideal...if possible...
for now though, from the pictures, I just think of the people I met there that have lost their retirement spots.. It is very sad..

WAXIEDOS · 02-18-2004

All the posts above reek of doom and gloom, as if Paamul is GONE FOREVER! Not to worry. Remember, it's not like ALL, or even MOST, of Paamul has disappeared! As tragic as it was for those who were hit by the fire, only nine of the units on the north beach were destroyed, along with the dive shop and parts of the restaurant. I spoke with several of the owners involved and they are already moving forward (champs that they are) with rebuilding plans. As far as the restaurant and the dive shop, they'll be up and running before you know it! THINK POSITIVE!

02-13-2004	#1 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,596	Paamul Fire Apparently a very serious fire swept through Paamul village today. I don't have much news yet, but check back here for details. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

02-13-2004	#3 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,596	I visited Paamul today to check it out. Obviously, if you lost your place, you are really bumming, but it could have been much worse. No one was injured but like 8 or 9 palapas went up and the big central restaurant and dive shop. I snapped a bunch of pictures that I'll post here. Not right now, though. I'm going to dinner. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

02-16-2004	#8 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,596	I talked to some witnesses that said there were lots of flying embers around and everyone was trying to hose down their palapas, many of which had RVs under them. Many of the RVs are quite permanently places so there wasn't an option to move them. Those that could were moved out. ok, here come some images. apparently the fire started here from a hot water heater no wonder aloe is good for burns. this stuff really held up. this propane tank got pulled out just in time the restaurant diveshop smoked swordfish anyone? __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

02-18-2004	#13 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Retireing at Paamul The fire was/is a tragedy, but this post is about the part of Dougie's were he talks of thinking of retirement there. We have talked about it also....but when you think of the cost of construction in Mexico, one can have a nice house for the US cost of an RV sturdy enough to live in full-time. The location at Paamul, though, is gorgeous. Trailer part in paradise is how I remember referring to it. Ron

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02-14-2004	#4 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,025	Por Esto! has an article about the fire available online --- click here. The article is in spanish, however, if you use an online translator you'll be able to get the basic gist of the story.

02-14-2004	#5 (permalink)
roni Happy Curmudgeon Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 25,061	Holy Cow! We were there twice on our trip and had breakfast at the restaurant. A retired couple from Dallas gave us a tour of their custom builit palapa with bathroom, kitchen and living..and their travel trailer incorporated into it. They were divers and lived there year around. Enrique was our server both times we were there. Lovely place, great coffee, wonderful people--being May it was not near full when we were there. Glad to hear there were no injuries, but saddened nonetheless. Ron

02-15-2004	#6 (permalink)
FlyGirl very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 38	Sad to learn of the news. We were there twice last week. Enjoyed the convenience of the restaurant, dive shop, and the close proximity to good off-beach snorkeling. Please post latest photos.

02-15-2004	#7 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 857	That is very sad to hear but we are so glad no one got hurt. We liked the Restaurant at Paamul and met Heidi from Germany and her husband there. They gave us and my parents a nice tour of their little paradise where they live year round and showed us around. Many of the RV's where very stationary and I am sure this is a big loss for some people. A life dream gone up in flames! Our hearts go out to everyone that lost their little Paradise and we hope it can be replaced.

02-17-2004	#9 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 857	Oh No! That fire really did some damage. These unfortunate people. Very sad.

02-17-2004	#10 (permalink)
WAXIEDOS lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: PDC & Texas Posts: 16	The owners who lived in the burned units were the greatest! Let's all wish for the best of luck and a bright future for them all.

02-17-2004	#11 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 857	I second that! Best whishes for re-building and re-creating their Paradise in Paamul again. Hugs to all the Owners!!!

02-18-2004	#12 (permalink)
dougie46 life=playa Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 679	This is such a tragedy. We had been looking very seriously into retiring at Paamul. We met a few of the residents and talked quite a bit to the people at the restaurant that looked after the rentals. Everyone was very friendly and made you feel so welcome. Our hearts go out to all that lost their places there and also to the businesses owners as well. Dougie and Linda

02-18-2004	#14 (permalink)
dougie46 life=playa Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 679	Ron, You are so right. This spot is exactly what we are looking for, and unfortunately only a rental spot...to buy here would be ideal...if possible... for now though, from the pictures, I just think of the people I met there that have lost their retirement spots.. It is very sad..

02-18-2004	#15 (permalink)
WAXIEDOS lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: PDC & Texas Posts: 16	All the posts above reek of doom and gloom, as if Paamul is GONE FOREVER! Not to worry. Remember, it's not like ALL, or even MOST, of Paamul has disappeared! As tragic as it was for those who were hit by the fire, only nine of the units on the north beach were destroyed, along with the dive shop and parts of the restaurant. I spoke with several of the owners involved and they are already moving forward (champs that they are) with rebuilding plans. As far as the restaurant and the dive shop, they'll be up and running before you know it! THINK POSITIVE!

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