A 46-year-old woman died in the fire, and nine other people required medical treatment
Credit: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EMERGENCY SYSTEM 911
NEED TO KNOW
- Sara Calabria, an employee of the Dominican Republic resort where a deadly fire broke out on Friday, June 19, is speaking out about the incident
- Sara, who is the sister of soccer player Davide Calabria, described the chaos as more than 100 guests evacuated amid the blaze
- The fire at the Viva Dominicus Beach Hotel claimed one life and left nine others needing medical treatment
An employee of the Caribbean resort where a deadly fire broke out is speaking out about the chaos that ensued when more than 100 guests were forced to evacuate.
On Saturday, June 20, 27-year-old Sara Calabria — who is the sister of soccer player and AC Milan alum Davide Calabria — described in a lengthy social media post how she escaped the blaze at the Viva Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, on Friday morning, June 19.
Sara shared that resort guests asked if they could re-enter the building to try and retrieve some belongings during the fire.
"In moments like this, you truly understand how important things are. Seeing my colleagues and friends safe was what mattered most to me," she wrote in Italian. "I'm incredibly sad to see what has been my workplace for the past year, but also a second home. It also hurts me to see my beautiful office reduced to ashes."
"But guys, always remember that nothing is more valuable than your lives," she continued in part. "No object, no material possession. Not even the money that burned in your room. I understand it's a problem with documents, but there's a solution for that too."
Credit: Erickson Polanco / AFP via Getty
"Thank you all for your concern," she added. "We will continue to provide assistance."
Sara also shared footage of the fire on her Instagram Stories. Video showed flames and smoke engulfing the hotel as guests and staff evacuated.
In addition, Sara shared a statement from the Viva Dominicus Beach Hotel, which stated that the fire had been contained by local authorities — and confirmed that one guest — previously identified as Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old resident of Caserta, Italy — died.
"All other guests and staff were safely evacuated," the hotel's statement read. "At this time, the hotel, which is independently owned and operated, is closed and will remain so until further notice."
Valentino suffered severe smoke inhalation in the fire, local outlets Diario Libre and Listín Diario reported, citing the Emergency Operations Center (COE). She was transferred to a health center in La Romana province, where she later died.
Nine others received medical treatment, Reuters reported.
The evacuated hotel guests — including 177 children and 21 infants — were relocated to nearby hotels where they were assessed, COE Director Juan Manuel Méndez told Diario Libre.
Footage of the incident posted on social media showed several buildings in the facility on fire, with thick black smoke trailing from the roofs as firefighters attempted to stop the blaze.
"Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of parts of the roof structures made of palm, as well as wind conditions," COE said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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