A fire broke out this Tuesday in the neighborhood La Aduana, in the city of Holguín, allegedly caused by an oil spill in a river.
The spill would be originating from the Turquino Vegetable Preserves Company, according to reports from local residents.
"Petróleo del Turquino", a neighbor replied when asked by another person in the images. "A tank or something like that exploded in there," another one added.
However, it has not been officially confirmed what the source of the voracious flames and the thick column of smoke seen in the videos shared on social media was.
The images showed the anxiety and concerns of the residents in the area, who were requesting to call the fire department as soon as possible.
However, none of the published videos show the firefighters.
In one of the images, a group of neighbors can be seen alerting the owner of a car parked near the flames, so he could move it to safety.
In one of the videos that showed the residents' concerns in the area, you can hear a neighbor saying that since the previous day there had been a lot of "stench" due to the alleged dumping.
An internet user claimed that a neighbor went to burn a mattress near the river and suggested that this might have been what ignited the flames in the area where the dumping had already occurred.
As of the closing of this note, there are no further details about the incident.
In recent hours, several fires have been reported in Cuba.
This Tuesday, firefighters were working intensively to extinguish a strong fire that broke out on the roof of a building in the Centro Habana municipality under circumstances that remain unknown.
Another fire occurred on the night of this Monday in Caibarién, Villa Clara, where a psychiatric patient set a house on fire. There were no injuries, but one house was completely destroyed and another partially affected.
A fourth fire, this one resulting in a fatality, was reported on Monday afternoon when a traffic accident involving a tanker truck transporting alcohol caused a fire. The vehicle's co-pilot died, and the driver is injured.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire in Holguín and its Context
What caused the fire in Holguín?
The fire in Holguín was allegedly caused by an oil spill in a river, originating from the Turquino Vegetable Conserves Company. Although local residents suggest it may have been due to a mattress fire near the river, the official source of the blaze has not been confirmed.
What measures are being taken to control fires in Cuba?
The Fire Department, along with other security forces, is working diligently to control the wildfires that have surged in Cuba. Authorities are investigating the causes of these blazes and, in some cases, evacuation and damage control measures have been implemented to protect the population and the environment.
Why have wildfires increased in Cuba recently?
The increase in fires in Cuba can be attributed to failures in infrastructure, poor handling of flammable materials, and inadequate maintenance conditions. Additionally, the lack of resources for the maintenance of industrial facilities, as observed in the context of other fires, contributes to the increased frequency of these events.
What is the impact of fires on the Cuban population?
Fires in Cuba cause alarm and concern among the population, in addition to causing significant material damage. The lack of swift and effective response from authorities and the scarcity of resources to combat the fires increase uncertainty and fear among residents of the affected areas.
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