My First Pictures of the Devastating Fire at Ramon’s Village: Small Fires Still Burn

Posted on August 28th, 2013
Category: Around AC, Hotels & Lodging

I walked to Ramon’s at dawn…I will fill in the words as I go but here are all of the pictures.  I would estimate that 50% of Ramon’s has been levelled.  The sea front buildings are smoke damaged but looking pretty good.  AMAZING after the fire we saw last night and the propane tanks being opened and exploding.

History of Ramon’s that I snagged from Lan Sluder’s post on Belizeforum.com:

“The resort has quite a history. It opened in 1981 on the site of the island’s first resort, Reef Colony. Reef Colony had been set to open in late 1961 but was destroyed by Hurricane Hattie on Halloween before it opened. The Holiday Hotel then opened in 1965 as the first real resort hotel on the island.

Ramon’s opened on land owned by local fishing guide Ramon Nuñez, who became the original manager of the hotel and remained associated with the resort. It was originally called Ramon’s Reef Resort.

Later Ramon’s was purchased by Richard Headrick, a businessman from Mississippi, who over the years greatly expanded the resort. It had been extensively renovated over the past several years.”

I will edit down as the morning progresses!  The entire town smells of smoke.

IMG_2479 IMG_2480 IMG_2482 IMG_2484 IMG_2486IMG_2486 IMG_2487 IMG_2488 IMG_2489 IMG_2490 Mr. Ramon surveys the damage.  IMG_2514
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IMG_2531 IMG_2533 Businesses (like Asian Garden Spa & Wine DeVine) and homes just across the street have singed greenery and some minor damage only.  A miracle.jIMG_2534 IMG_2535

 

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  • Carol J

    Brokenhearted over this!

  • Sara Johnson

    Very sad!

  • Charlotte

    Very sad. I love that place

  • Laura Howard

    This is very sad, thank goodness there were no injuries, I am hopeful they will rebuild.

  • Belize Blog

    Agreed. Thank goodness that everyone got out quickly.

  • Suggestion

    might I suggest a new category for blog? Maybe news. Not sure how this fits under the category of “Island Fun”.

    • Belize Blog

      Sorry! That’s the default. I changed it!

  • Ari Trejo

    Hi R, what a sad bit of news today, I hope all are OK, Caco and I are sending our love SP’s way 🙁

  • Pingback: Ramon's Burned to the ground last night()

  • Ina

    I feel terrible for all those who have lost their jobs, especially during the slow season, making it difficult to find another. So very sad.

  • Belize Blog

    Hopefully all can be put to work rebuilding. I am sure they want to be open for the season…there will be plenty to do!

  • Marilyn Clute

    OMG, so devastating! We got a tour of Ramon’s Village when we were there and spoke to Mr. Ramon about his amazingly lush and beautiful resort. I took a bunch of pictures on the property, too. This is such sad news. Marilyn Clute, Seattle, WA.

  • Lylyth Grey

    This is a terrible tragedy…I’ve not had the joy of traveling much but, this place was on my “wish list”. I hope they can rebuild. My sadness is for the families that have lost so much.

  • Wow, thank goodness the entire place wasn’t leveled. Your are right – the beachfront units and the tour guide operation look amazingly intact. When something like this happens, it’s nice to try and find a bright side. So sorry this gorgeous spot has suffered this destruction. I hope the insurance company acts swiftly so they can start rebuilding.

  • Steve Parks

    No lives lost is the only thing that matters, buildings and such as they are for memories will be rebuilt, its tragic for those involved but out of the ashes will arise a new and better

  • Denise Cassella

    I was there May, 1994, for my honeymoon and hoped to visit again.
    Glad everyone is okay and praying that they can rebuild!

    • Belize Blog

      Oh my! That’s amazing. I am quite sure that they will rebuild.

  • Heartbreaking to see this damage. It was truly one of the prettiest places on the island.

  • Joan Muhme

    Prayers sent to all from Michigan…we come to the Caye every year to our second home…may you rebuild quickly!

  • Annellis

    here there guest staying there? was anyone hurt?

    • Belize Blog

      There was no one hurt. All guests were evacuated before the first became too big.

  • TarheelBornGal

    Such a tragedy. I wonder if they will rebuild with concrete? It might be pricier and certainly not as charming, but a devastating fire like this shows how wood construction can be lost so quickly — if not in a hurricane, a fire. Feel very bad for everyone involved and am so glad no one was harmed. That in itself is a miracle!

    • Belize Blog

      Totally a miracle. After seeing the HUGE fire, I can hardly believe it.

  • Sandra Sánchez

    Son impactantes las imagenes de todo lo que se perdio, no pienso en lo económico unicamente, también es el lugar que le da trabajo a muchos empleados que a su vez sostienen a sus familias. Que trizte, pero pronto volveran a embellecerlo y sera igual de placentero que antes, eso espero de todo corazón.

  • Fiona E

    Thank you for the pictures. As someone who grew up in San Pedro since 1980 and lived south of Ramon’s I pretty much passed it everyday I went to school or town. Glad to hear no major injuries. Seems like the community spirit helped save some of it by joining in the fire fighting. Just hope they rebuild soon so I don’t have to miss it my next trip back.

  • Chris Soukup

    Thanks to everyone who helped water down my brother Daves pizza place during this fire. I’m glad everyone was safe. We can’t thank you enough.