An enormous fire at a Dominican Republic resort that killed one Italian reality TV star has also left nearly 1,700 other tourists stranded, after the deadly blaze reduced their passports and other important documents to ashes. 

The fire erupted on Friday at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, a $350-a-night resort popular with US tourists, many of whom were evacuated.

Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman, was killed, the Dominican Republic's emergency service DAEH said in a statement. She starred in a reality show about moving abroad for a new life.

Three people were taken to ​medical facilities and six others were treated on site, ⁠DAEH said. Those affected included guests, visitors and emergency responders.

Other tourists who were not injured have still been forced into a difficult situation, according to Amanda Santana, a hotel executive. 'Unfortunately, they lost their identity documents, including their passports,' she said. 

'We have been coordinating with the embassies and governments of those countries to facilitate the entry of those guests.'

It is unclear exactly how many American tourists were among the nearly 1,700 people impacted. The Daily Mail has reached out to the US embassy in the Dominican Republic for comment and additional information. 

Hotel officials have said they are working with police to assist tourists who need replacement passports and accelerate online applications for the documents. 

Many of the impacted visitors have been relocated to hotels in Punta Cana and Bayahibe.

When the fire at Viva Dominicus Beach broke out, the resort was operating at 84 percent capacity. 

Shocking footage showed huge plumes of black smoke billowing from raging fires emerging from what appears to be at least a dozen buildings on the beachside resort's property.

'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 Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center (COE) said.

The fire was brought under control but its causes were still being investigated, the operations center said.

The Italian woman's cause of death is also being investigated, according to General Manuel Méndez, director of the COE. 

The COE added that 'Tourist activities ​in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected ​and ⁠continue to take place safely and as normal.'

During the fire, emergency services raced to the resort as flames spiraled out of control and panicked tourists sprinted away from the blaze.

Authorities said they were working to contain the flames to the area, fearing it could spread to nearby structures, according to Dominican Today.

One witness said on social media that firefighters were struggling to extinguish the fires.

'Although fire trucks are already on the scene, the magnitude of the blaze exceeds the available equipment and greater support is required with higher-impact units to fully extinguish it,' they wrote.

Video shows fire crews dousing burning buildings with water, but the hosepipe is measly by comparison to the structure.

Dozens of witnesses gathered around to watch the ensuing carnage as the hotel burned.

Viva Dominicus Beach is described on its website as an 'all-inclusive paradise' where 'the sun and moon set the stage for nonstop fun', surrounded by 'pristine white sands'.

It offers a variety of entertainment, from restaurants and live music to sports like pickleball, paddleboarding and trapeze lessons.

The resort spills out onto the beach, complete with a large pool close to the sand.

It has also undergone extensive renovations in the past few years, including common areas and many of its food offerings.

Famous for its clear water and white sand beaches, the Dominican Republic ⁠is the ​Caribbean's top tourist destination. The country received around ​5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year.