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The fire that devastated the island of Guanaja forced Honduran authorities to evacuate more than 400 people, but claimed no casualties.
More than 400 people were evacuated from the small tourist.
AFP
A fire on a small tourist island in Honduras on Saturday destroyed 120 homes and forced the evacuation of 400 people, but no casualties were reported, local officials said. A huge cloud of black smoke rose early in the morning on the Caribbean island of Guanaja, off the northern coast of Honduras, where 6,000 residents live mainly from tourism.
“The fire is 100% controlled,” Max Gonzales, head of the Permanent Commission for Government Intervention (COPCO), told a news conference in the middle of the afternoon.
120 houses were burnt to ashes by the flames.
AFP
Video broadcast by local media showed the devastated area, Max Gonzales said, “90 houses destroyed, 120 damaged (…) 2,500 people directly affected, three injured and three others confirmed. “
The fire was brought under control by military helicopters, causing water to fall.
According to the Honduran Presidency, 400 people were evacuated from the island and emergency accommodation was opened at a church and a school.
An aerial view of the island of Guanaza.
AFP
The origin of the fire, which started early Saturday morning at a seaside house before spreading rapidly, is still unknown. The island of Guanaja, measuring 19 km, is one of three islands in the Gulf of Honduras, which also includes Roatán and Utila.
(AFP)
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