(
2015-10-06) A major fire destroyed the well-known Barra Beach tourist resort of Flamingo Bay on Saturday night, in an incident that constitutes a severe blow to tourism in the region.
There were no casualties in the fire which broke out between 21:00 and 22:00 hours and, fanned by a strong wind, quickly reduced the venture’s 20 wood-and-grass bungalows to ashes.
The more than 40 guests, both nationals and foreigners, were having dinner in the restaurant when the fire broke out. Some managed to save their property, and all were transferred to another resort to spend the night.
On Sunday afternoon the owner of the resort, David Law, a South African national, was unaware of the cause of the fire.
However, Law, who was the first president of the Inhambane Hospitality and Tourism Association, promised that Flamingo Bay’s 60 workers would not be dismissed, but would participate in the resort’s construction, which he estimated would take about six months.
The owner assured stakeholders that he would not give up on the area, which, in his view, is a world-class tourist destination.
"Our resort is insured, and on Tuesday we will get the bureaucratic mechanisms with our insurer in motion. We will continue to invest here, and six months will be enough to put Flamingo Bay back in operation," Law said.
He said that guests who lost their possessions, including clothing, cell phones, cameras, documents and money, would be compensated.
