A powerful explosion reported in the early hours of the morning on Monday shook the municipality of Camajuaní, in the province of Villa Clara, after a fireworks warehouse located in the Los Chivos neighborhood suffered a large-scale incident.
According to early local reports, the explosion created a column of black smoke visible from several kilometers away and triggered a fire that is also affecting some nearby houses, prompting residents to evacuate due to the risk of the flames spreading.
So far, no fatalities have been reported, although several individuals have been treated for mild asphyxia and nervous crises, according to the communicator Henry Omar Pérez on social media.
Firefighters, interior ministry brigades, and municipal authorities are on site working to control the fire and prevent further detonations.
An image shared on Facebook by Pérez showed the flames generated by the detonation and the dense column of smoke that rose after the explosion.
A festive tradition turned into tragedy
Camajuaní is renowned for its historic pyrotechnic tradition, closely linked to the Parrandas de Camajuaní, one of the oldest and most emblematic festivities in Cuba, declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
For centuries, fireworks have been the heart of celebrations that combine floats, music, dance, lights, and aerial displays in a unique spectacle of popular art.
According to local sources, the art of fireworks was introduced by settlers from Remedios, and it developed significantly after the arrival of master Manuel Barojo, regarded as one of the pioneers of Camajuaní pyrotechnics.
This activity, deeply rooted in local identity, has also been a source of risks. On several occasions, the craft workshops and warehouses where the artifacts are produced have experienced fires or explosions due to the handling of highly flammable materials under precarious conditions.
Pirocam: The Modern Factory and Its Promise of Safety
The explosion occurs in an area that houses Cuba's only modern fireworks factory, known as Pirocam, a project promoted as a "model of innovation and safety" when it was inaugurated years ago by official media such as Granma.
The plant was the result of a collaboration between the Viclar business group from Villa Clara and the Spanish entity Reacan, which has over two centuries of experience in the field. Pirocam manufactures casings, mortars, waterfalls, and light and sound rockets, intended for hotels, tourist centers, and exports to the Caribbean.
The official statement emphasizes that the factory had "all the necessary safety measures for its workers," but today's events again put the actual safety within the country's pyrotechnic facilities under scrutiny, where issues such as lack of resources, maintenance, and technical supervision are common problems.
Authorities on the ground and official silence
Residents of the Los Chivos neighborhood reported that the detonations were heard shortly after six in the morning, followed by a vibration that rattled windows and roofs. Some recorded videos of the fire, which are already circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp, although there is still no official confirmation.
Rescue teams from MININT have cordoned off the perimeter and are continuing to extinguish the flames, while local authorities investigate the cause of the incident. So far, the municipal government has not issued an official report on the human and material damages.
The fire has also raised concerns among residents about the potential environmental impact of the smoke and the chemical residues released after the combustion of explosive materials.
Between tradition and risk
The Parrandas of Camajuaní, which should be a cause for joy and community unity, are now overshadowed by an incident that highlights the fragility of safety conditions in the country's pyrotechnic facilities.
While emergency teams continue their work, CiberCuba will remain attentive to testimonies from witnesses and local sources to provide further information on the number of injuries, the causes of the explosion, and the measures taken by the authorities.
This incident not only grieves a community deeply connected to its festive art, but also reignites a debate about industrial risk and the lack of oversight in Cuba, where tradition and economic necessity often take precedence over safety.
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