A fire broke out this Friday at the brewery in Cotorro, located in the homonymous municipality of Havana, forcing authorities to evacuate 488 people from district 60 of the area due to the risk of collapse or a potential ammonia leak, a chemical used in the plant for cooling, as it is the most cost-effective method for the brewing industry.
In a video broadcasted by the pro-government Canal Caribe, Álvaro Álvarez, mayor of the Cotorro municipality, explained to the press that the greatest risks lie in the possible collapse of the factory walls, which could cause damage to nearby structures.
"There is also the risk that these structures could fall onto the street. That is why the population has also been evacuated," the television report revealed.
Por otra parte, se advirtió sobre el danger posed by substances con las que se trabaja la industria de la cervecería, pero no se especificaron cuáles.
"Although there are no flammable substances, because the available alcohols have low grades, that is, less than 38 degrees, and that would not allow for a more significant combustion, the lives of people are indeed protected, because after all, it is a fire that is still in progress," commented spokesperson Lázaro Manuel Alonso for Canal Caribe.
Experts have preliminarily noted that the fire may have occurred while moving structures from this location. This could have generated some spark that ignited a smaller fire, which then spread.
"It could have been that in the afternoon or evening [of Thursday] some spark occurred and triggered a small fire that then spread; since it moved to an enclosed space, it has been expanding to other areas here in the entity. It is very preliminary to assess what the cause might have been," commented Alonso.
While flying over the brewery to assess the scale of the fire, specialists noted that the temperature in that area exceeded 100 degrees Celsius.
Workers from the Cuban Fire Department, the Red Cross, Public Health, and officials arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire.
The president of the Business Group of the Food Industry, Emerio González Lorenzo, previously reported that the fire broke out in a building of an old beer refrigerator at the factory.
The danger of a ammonia leak has been one of the main concerns, as this gas is highly toxic.
Although no fatalities or injuries have been reported so far, authorities are closely monitoring the efforts to extinguish the fire and ensure safety in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire at the Cotorro Brewery
What caused the fire at the Cotorro Brewery?
The fire may have originated from a spark that caused a minor blaze, which spread within the brewery, according to preliminary comments from experts. The exact causes of the incident are still under investigation.
What are the risks associated with the fire at the Cotorro brewery?
The main risks are structural collapse and ammonia leakage, a highly toxic gas used for refrigeration in the plant. These factors prompted the evacuation of 488 people in the nearby area.
What measures have the authorities taken in response to the fire at the brewery?
Authorities have evacuated individuals near the site of the fire, and firefighters, along with other emergency services, are working to control and extinguish the flames. So far, no fatalities or injuries have been reported.
What impact does the use of ammonia have on the brewery affected by the fire?
Ammonia is used for refrigeration due to its low cost, but in the event of a leak, it poses a serious health risk because of its high toxicity, which has been one of the major concerns during the fire at the brewery.
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