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Cuban authorities released images showing the state of destruction of the former Guido Pérez brewery, located in the Cotorro municipality of Havana, following a fire that lasted over 24 hours.
The incident kept authorities and hundreds of residents on edge due to the risk of structural collapses and the potential release of toxic substances like ammonia, stemming from the materials stored in the abandoned industrial facility.
The Municipal Assembly of People's Power of Cotorro confirmed on Facebook the extinguishment of the fire through Facebook.
"Shortly after 4 a.m. on this April 12, the fire was extinguished thanks to the hard work of firefighters from various units, with support from the MININT, the Red Cross, SIUM, the Electric Company, and communal services," the publication stated.
He said that during the operation, specialized technologies such as drones and a dismantling crane were used, which allowed access to areas compromised by landslides.
The estimated temperature was around 180°C, and some of the structures showed cracks and visible damage, they noted.
Mayelín Noel Beltrán, the deputy director of the brewery, explained that the affected area had been out of operation for decades and was in the process of being dismantled to become a warehouse. The site contained cylinders of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and dry liquor, which raised the alert level.
“A security officer smelled burnt rubber, then she conducted a walkthrough and noticed smoke coming from the roof,” Beltrán reported to the state-run newspaper Granma.
Investigations are still ongoing, but initial hypotheses suggest that a spark generated during the transportation of metal structures may have triggered the incident.
According to journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso, the fire reportedly started quietly on Thursday afternoon or evening and spread to enclosed areas.
From the early hours of the fire, the evacuation of 488 people from the 60th precinct of the Magdalena-Torrientes people's council was ordered. Among those evacuated were minors and a bedridden person.
Classes were also suspended at nearby educational institutions such as the 9 de Abril basic secondary school, the América Latina polytechnic, and the Guido Pérez Valdés primary school.
The president of the Business Group of the Food Industry, Emerio González Lorenzo, confirmed that the cause of the fire was an old industrial refrigerator.
No fatalities or injuries were reported. Cooling and cleanup efforts will continue over the next few days, as will technical investigations to determine the causes of the incident with greater precision.
However, many Cubans point to the risks posed by outdated industrial infrastructure in Cuba and question the safety protocols at facilities undergoing decommissioning.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire at the Cotorro Brewery
How did the fire in the Cotorro brewery originate?
The fire originated in an old industrial refrigerator at the factory, possibly due to a spark generated during the movement of metal structures. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact causes of the incident.
What security measures were taken during the fire?
During the fire, authorities evacuated 488 people near the factory as a precautionary measure, classes were suspended in several nearby educational centers, and specialized technologies such as drones and cranes were deployed to manage the fire and prevent a greater tragedy.
Were there any victims or injuries due to the fire?
No fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of the fire at the brewery in Cotorro. Cooling and cleanup efforts will continue in the coming days to ensure safety in the area.
What risks did the fire at the Cotorro brewery pose?
The fire posed risks of structural collapses and the potential release of toxic substances such as ammonia, due to the materials stored in the decommissioned industrial facility. The prompt action of the emergency teams prevented these risks from materializing.
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