Tourist Shares Exclusive Account to ARC+ of Fire at Hotel Fantasy Island

One of the tourists staying at Hotel Fantasy Island during the fire shared her experience exclusively with ARC, describing the tense moments and the overwhelming support from the community of Roatan. Chrissy Hendrickson explained that she had arrived on the island earlier that same day. It was her eighth visit to the hotel.

She had just finished dinner when she heard hotel staff shouting, “Everybody out, get out of here!” According to her account, they were told the kitchen had caught fire.

By the time she came downstairs, she said the west-side area was already fully engulfed in flames. The fire quickly spread around the palapa and into other sections of the property, including the dining area beneath the lobby and directly below the kitchen. “It moved everywhere very fast,” she said.

Hendrickson emphasized that local residents and members of surrounding communities stepped in immediately to help evacuate guests from Fantasy Island. They were first transported by small boats to the marina, then transferred onto yachts, and later driven by community members in private vehicles to the mall. From there, buses took them to the Henry Morgan Hotel, where they are now being temporarily accommodated.

“Most of us have lost everything — money, passports, credit cards, driver’s licenses — everything,” she said.

Still, she stressed that material belongings can be replaced and that her main concern is that the hotel staff, firefighters, and everyone involved are safe.

She also expressed deep gratitude to the people of Roatán for their help during the emergency and said she hopes the Canadian and U.S. consulates will assist guests in the coming hours.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire.