The Andaman Langkawi destroyed in fire

The Andaman Langkawi enjoys a spectacular setting at Datai Bay.

The Andaman Langkawi has been forced to close following not one, but two fires that broke out at the property this week.

The Marriott-owned resort is situated on the island of Langkawi off Malaysia’s northwest coast and had reopened its doors in July following the pandemic.

According to reports, an initial fire was reported at the 186-room property on the afternoon of Tuesday. More than 40 firefighters rushed to the scene and the flames had been brought under control by early evening.

However, in the early hours of Wednesday, a second fire broke-out in the same area and firefighters were recalled to the scene.

Reports from the fire fighting team indicate that almost the entire main block of the building was engulfed during the second outbreak, with strong winds fanning the flames. It took more than 12 hours to put out.

It’s believed that the initial fire started in the kitchens of the luxury resort and then spread to the main building, which has now been completely destroyed.

All guests are reported to be safe and have been relocated to the hotel’s sister property which is located nearby.

According to a statement released by Marriott, the hotel is “temporarily closed and not accepting reservations until further notice.”

The upscale beachside resort was a favourite with families looking for a relaxed break. Nestled between a ten million year old rainforest and an eight thousand year old coral reef, the property provided ample wildlife-engagement opportunities, with plenty of hornbills, kingfishers and monkeys in the surrounding forests and a coral nursery conservation programme in the bay. National Geographic once used the property as a location for a documentary film about flying lemurs.

The hotel has stated that it is now working “closely and in cooperation with the fire department to determine the cause of the fire”.