Mayan Garden Resort Goes Up in Flames

There were several other fires reported over the extended weekend. In Orange Walk, the Mayan Garden Resort on the Philip Goldson Highway, popularly known for its buffalo burgers, went up in flames. The fire broke sometime around three o’clock on Sunday afternoon and spread quickly to consume several structures on the property. The losses are reportedly in the tune of five million dollars, but we are told that the property was not insured. Here’s Station Supervisor Kenneth Mortis with more details.

Kenneth Mortis

Kenneth Mortis, Station Supervisor, National Fire Service

“We know that the proprietor wasn’t at home as they had left to go to the airport to do a personal run. As far as the insurance is concerned, we have no confirmation on that. We are still trying to gather the titbits to put the pieces together. Several thatch roof structures were destroyed; like rightfully mentioned, almost five million dollars worth. What contributed to the quick spread was that all these structures had a roof made of a grass-type structure. All of that combined with the afternoon being a windy day, the flying embers, the close proximity of all these units, even if we were on the scene before the fire started, there was little salvaging that could have been done by us. The structure alone posed as a threat to the owner. When we responded from Orange Walk Town itself which is an approximately five six miles from where they are, one of the only plus for this establishment was the fact that it had a nine-thousand-gallon pool which we could have readily used to aid in supplementary supply to the scene. As it is, the investigation into the cause of this fire is still ongoing and we do not want to speculate whether it was a diligence fire or over something that was set intentional. I am hoping that we get a conclusion by the end of today.”