A huge fire at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic killed one woman and forced nearly 1,700 tourists to be evacuated on Friday, authorities said.

Fifteen firefighting units are battling the blaze at the Viva Dominicus Beach resort in La Altagracia province, the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry told ABC News.

A large fire has almost completely destroyed a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of almost 1,700 tourists.

One tourist died in the fire and several others required medical assistance