Deadly Dominican resort fire sparks fresh focus on hotel safety

A devastating fire that tore through the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort last month is prompting renewed discussion about fire safety standards at Caribbean resorts, with one Punta Cana property pointing to its investment in a dedicated on-site fire department as a model for the industry.

As previously reported, a fire swept through the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort on June 19 in Bayahibe, killing one tourist, injuring nine others and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests.

Approximately 700 rooms were destroyed in the blaze, which officials said took about five hours and 15 firefighting units to bring under control after being fueled by strong coastal winds and the resort's thatched roofing.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of fire protection across the Dominican Republic's tourism sector, which welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2025.

Meliá highlights on-site fire department

In the wake of the disaster, Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort says it had already taken steps to strengthen its emergency preparedness through a partnership with Rural Metro Fire, a U.S.-based private fire protection company, to establish a dedicated on-site fire department at the resort.

READ MORE: Wyndham Viva Dominicus fire an “isolated” incident, say Dominican authorities

According to the company, the department is staffed around the clock with trained firefighters, dedicated firefighting equipment and response protocols tailored specifically to the resort.

The company says the approach reflects the unique fire risks faced by many Caribbean resorts, where thatched roofs, open-air construction, coastal winds and high guest occupancy can allow fires to spread rapidly.

"Meliá looked at the risk clearly and chose to get ahead of it," said Chief John Hannon, president of Rural Metro Fire, in a press release. "The on-site fire department we built together reflects a shared understanding that local emergency response, however capable, can be stretched thin or simply too far away when a resort fire develops as fast as these can."

Rural Metro Fire argues that resort development in destinations such as Punta Cana has often outpaced the growth of municipal fire services, with some properties located several miles from the nearest fire station and response times affected by traffic and limited resources.

The company says its model is intended to complement regional emergency services by maintaining firefighters and equipment directly on resort grounds, allowing crews to respond immediately if a fire breaks out.

"In a resort fire, response time is everything," stated Hannon. "Firefighters who are already on property, who know the layout and the risks, represent a fundamentally different level of readiness than waiting for help to arrive from elsewhere."

Rural Metro Fire says it plans to expand its on-site fire protection model to additional resorts across the Americas, working with hotel operators and local communities to develop coordinated fire protection strategies.

The company also noted that the recent Bayahibe tragedy has renewed attention on fire safety among travellers, citing guidance from the U.S. Fire Administration encouraging guests to consider a property's fire safety measures before booking.

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