NEPTUNE RESORT IN DIANI BURNS TO THE GROUND
(Posted 29th June 2016)
Sad news come in from Kenya’s famous Diani beaches where yesterday the Neptune Resort burned down, flames consuming the Makuti covered roofs (Makuti is a roofing material made from palm tree leaves) in a matter of minutes while being spread and driven by strong winds.
The inferno took place in the late afternoon just before sunset and while no cause of the fire is yet established, can it be noted that the efforts of management and staff helped to safely evacuate several dozen guests from the hotel.
They were reportedly rebooked in a nearby resort of similar standards at no added cost.
Sources from Diani say the fire may have started at Neptune Village before the winds blew burning debris on to the neighbouring Neptune Paradise where the roofs almost instantly also caught fire.
Residential properties in the neighbourhood were as a precaution also evacuated until the Ukunda fire brigade later that evening managed to get the blaze under control.
The smoke and reflection of the fire against the sky after nightfall attracted hundreds of locals who from a safe distance watched the fire as if it were a movie night.
No time frame has been given as yet on the possible period of rebuilding but given the time needed to assess the cause of the fire and complete the insurance formalities first, this may take until well in 2017 to complete.
The Neptune properties in Diani are sister resorts to the Neptune Beach Hotel at Mombasa’s Bamburi beach along the north coast.
3 Responses
Dear Mr Thomas,
The article on the fire at Neptune Hotels is not giving the correct information.
The hotels did not burn down to the ground at all. Also stating that the hotels will not open before 2017 is wrong.
Neptune Palm Beach Boutique Resort & Spa was hardly damaged and will open again 1/8.
Neptune Paradise and Neptune Village Beach Resort will be renovated immediately and we will ope on 1/11/2016, start of the winter season.
Thanks for making corrections and with same distribution in the media with less sensation.
Thanks a lot and kindest regards,
Michel
Group Director of Sales & Marketing Neptune Hotels
And to add one more independent view to ponder over …
The South Coast Residents’ Association – Kenya
July 2 at 10:14am ·
You are all aware of the horrific fire we had earlier this week in Diani South which engulfed Neptune Hotel, several private villas and many kiosks and dwelling places near the kiosks. Many, many poor people have been rendered homeless with absolutely nothing left.
The scene of this fire was visited by H.E. Bwana Salim Mvurya our Kwale County Governor, government officials and the Red Cross who have distributed emergency food and equipment to these poor people.
The SOUTH COAST RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION in conjunction with the KWALE RED CROSS, KWALE COUNTY GOVERNMENT and COLOBUS CONSERVATION is appealing to you if you have items such as clothing, blankets, sufuria, children’s wear etc. to please donate. The collection point will be at COLOBUS CONSERVATION c/o KELLY MARTIN. All items delivered will then be handed over to the Red Cross who, together with Colobus Conservation will then distribute to these people who have lost everything.
Thank you and a Blessed weekend to you all.
Had the hotel’s PR department done its job properly and stayed ahead of the media picking up the story, and sent out a press release on the damage and the anticipated time needed to repair the damage, neither comments would have been needed! A fine example how to accomplish this was the fire at the Leopard Beach some time ago with the PR reaction professionally managed instead of moaning.