A large fire devastated several homes in the Playa Cunagua community, located in the municipality of Bolivia, Ciego de Ávila, leaving numerous families homeless.
This is the second incident of a similar nature that has affected the area in the last two years, causing concern among the residents.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon and evening, according to the page on Facebook 'La Tijera', which described the event as a "literal hell" for the residents of the area.
Testimonials collected in the publication report that the flames spread rapidly, consuming homes and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. "Many lamented losing everything once again," the source indicated.
So far, authorities have not provided information regarding the causes of the fire or the exact extent of the material and personal damages. However, this new incident is reminiscent of the one that occurred in February 2023, when a similar fire destroyed at least 18 homes in the same community.
On that occasion, the fire was caused by negligence with a wood-burning stove, and the construction conditions of the homes, mainly made of guano and wood, facilitated its rapid spread.
The recurrence of these types of fires has raised concern among the residents of a community near the chain of cays of Jardines del Rey, off the central area of Cuba, where Cayo Coco and Cayo Romano are notable.
Known for its white sand beaches and coral reefs, this area is dotted with all-inclusive resorts. Its nature is characterized by the presence of lagoons and marshes that are home to birds such as white herons and a native colony of pink flamingos, which is among the largest in the Americas.
Nestled in a privileged area, the residents of Playa Cunagua demand better security conditions in their homes and an effective response from the authorities to prevent new tragedies.
The community, made up of a hundred families, now faces the challenging task of rebuilding what was lost amid an economic crisis that complicates the acquisition of construction materials.
The images and videos shared on social media reveal the impact of the fire and the desperation of those affected, who are calling for solidarity to receive urgent assistance.
Could it be arson?
Since this is the second fire at Playa Cunagua in less than a year, some internet users speculated that the incident may not have been accidental.
The privileged location of this community, near the Keys of Jardines del Rey, a significant tourist hub, raises concerns among residents and suspicions within civil society regarding the possibility that this might be a method to forcibly relocate the inhabitants of Playa Cunagua.
According to the official portal EcuRed, Playa Cunagua is a beach settlement with houses inhabited during the summer by hundreds of vacationers. The rest of the year, the enclave has a population of only two inhabitants who are responsible for guarding the houses.
A recent instance of forced evictions in Cuba reinforces these concerns. In April 2024, it was reported that the state conglomerate GAESA stripped the residents of Cayo Saetía in Holguín of their homes to allocate the area for luxury tourism.
In that case, which was resolved after more than two years of confrontations between the residents and the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA, a military conglomerate that controls the dollarized economy in Cuba), it was reported that those evicted did not receive adequate housing solutions and that the authorities acted with complete impunity.
While there is no concrete evidence linking this fire to a deliberate attempt to expel residents from Playa Cunagua, the coincidence of both incidents in highly valued tourist enclaves has raised concerns.
In this regard, those affected are demanding a thorough investigation to clarify the causes of the fire and to ensure that the community is not left without support.
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