Firefighters extinguished a fire in the dining hall of the Hershey train station in the Versalles neighborhood of Matanzas in the early hours of this Wednesday.
According to reports on social media, around 1:30 a.m. and during a blackout in the area, a fire broke out at the facility, prompting neighbors to call the fire department. Units 1 and 2 responded immediately to the scene and extinguished the flames.
There were no loss of human lives or injuries, assured Facebook users, who expressed their gratitude for the firefighters' effective response.
As of the moment this note is published, no official information about the incident has been made public.
Noilan Leidy Bofill shared photos and a brief video of the fire, which did not appear to reach large proportions based on the images.
The fire at the ranchón in Versalles adds to a series of incidents that have been reported in recent days in Cuba, fortunately without any fatalities.
A devastating fire destroyed four homes in the municipality of Placetas in Villa Clara; another caused damage in the intermediate care unit of the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital in Sancti Spíritus; and in this last province, the flames consumed around 250 hectares of pasture near the Solar Photovoltaic Park in the municipality of La Sierpe.
In October 2022, the ranchón at the Hershey train stop in Matanzas also suffered a fire that caused severe damage to the facility. Following the incident, witnesses stated that the fire was allegedly intentional, although there was no confirmation from official sources.
However, weeks prior, multiple fires had been reported in recreational facilities across various provinces, and in some cases, authorities acknowledged that they were deliberate actions.
The Municipal Assembly of People's Power in Rafael Freyre, Holguín, confirmed that the state-run restaurant Rancho Villa had been sabotaged amid a power outage. A source told CiberCuba that the fire was intentionally set in protest against the constant and prolonged power cuts.
In August of that year, a fire in the archives of the Municipal Court of Centro Habana was also reported in the capital.
Regarding this incident, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment denounced that it was an act of "vandalism," where "unscrupulous citizens attempted to destroy" the archive.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recent Fires in Cuba
What happened in the fire at the ranchón in Matanzas?
The firefighters extinguished a fire at the dining hall of the Hershey train station in Matanzas during the early morning hours, amidst a blackout. No loss of life or injuries were reported.
How have firefighters responded to the recent fires in Cuba?
The firefighters have acted swiftly in several recent fires, such as at the ranch in Matanzas and the solar park in Sancti Spíritus, preventing loss of life. The community and local businesses have also supported these efforts.
What are the most common causes of fires in Cuba currently?
Fires in Cuba are primarily caused by short circuits, explosions of electric motorcycle batteries, and, in some cases, intentional actions during power outages. Electrical instability is a recurring cause of incidents.
What is the connection between blackouts and fires in Cuba?
In some cases, power outages have coincided with fires, such as the one at the ranchón in Matanzas, leading to speculation about possible intentional actions in protest against the electricity cuts.
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