SANTO DOMINGO, June 19 (Reuters) - A woman was killed and

nearly 1,700 tourists were evacuated due to a large fire at a

hotel in theDominican beach resort of Bayahibe, local

authorities said on Friday.

Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman, was killed

in the fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel,

the DAEH emergency service said in a statement.

Three people were taken to medical facilities and six others

were treated on site, DAEH said. Those affected included guests,

visitors and emergency responders.

Videos shared by local media showed dark clouds of smoke

billowing out above the Caribbean coastline, as flames engulfed

the resort's straw roof.

"Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread

rapidly due to the flammable nature of parts of the roof

structures made of palm, as well as wind conditions," the

country's Emergency Operations Center (COE) said.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts ( WH ), which franchises some 8,400

hotels worldwide, did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

The fire was brought under control but its causes were still

being investigated, the operations center said. Guests were

moved to nearby hotels. The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part

of the same chain, did not sustain any damage.

"Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area

remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as

normal," COE added.

Famous for its clear water and white sand beaches, the

Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's top tourist destination,

receiving some 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of

this year.