Fierce fire in a home in Santiago de Cuba

A fire broke out in a residence on Wednesday night on the corner of Santa Rosa and Calvario streets, in the heart of Santiago de Cuba, for reasons that are unknown.

There were no injuries or fatalities as a result of the fire, although there were material damages.

The flames would have spread to other adjacent houses, according to journalist Yosmany Mayeta on social media, citing the testimony of witnesses.

A video released by the communicator showed that shortly after the fire truck arrived, a fight broke out between several young people, and at least one firefighter could be seen involved in the incident.

In the comments section of the publication, an internet user identified as Iván Vélez clarified the reason for the puzzling brawl in the midst of what was a moment of utmost emergency.

Clearing up doubts, there was no altercation with the firefighters. I was informed that there was a motor parked at the corner of Santa Rosa, and when the firetruck went up that street, the motor was blocking its path," he explained, and that is something that is indeed confirmed in the video.

Two neighbors moved it to make way for the fire truck because the owner was not around. When the owner of the motorcycle arrived, he confronted the neighbors because apparently the movement had damaged the bike," she added.

Vélez pointed out that, apparently, "the complaint ended in an argument and eventually a scuffle. The owner of the engine later identified himself as an officer of the DTI [Technical Department of Investigations]."

Unfortunately, this is how the house of the four siblings, Castellano Salar (Mariela, Maritza, Jesús, and Armando, the latter residing in Havana City), was left. The house suffered a fire last night at around 10:40 pm, according to neighboring residents, the incident started at this residence located at Calvario #905 / Santa Rosa and Princesa.

UPDATE

Aris Arias Batalla, provincial Operations and Rescue manager, shared on social media the condition of the house where the fire started, located at Calvario #905 between Santa Rosa and Princesa.

The property belongs to four siblings, one of whom resides in Havana. However, at the time of the incident, no one was there. Three rooms were the ones that suffered the most material damages.

The official source specified that the fire broke out around 10:40 p.m. for causes that are being investigated.

"The door was forced open by neighboring residents, and according to witnesses, there was no electricity in that home," he stated.

Arias Batalla pointed out that the roof of the room is shared with the neighboring house, where a man and his wife live.

It turns out that 42 years ago, a serious accident occurred in that neighbor's house when two liquefied gas cylinders exploded, resulting in the loss of his parents, grandparents, and a sister. He survived by jumping out of the front window.

Now history repeats itself, but in the neighbors' house, fortunately without injuries or fatalities.

Specialized forces of the MININT are investigating the causes of the fire.