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After more than 24 hours of continuous combat against the fire that broke out at the old Guido Pérez brewery, located in the Cotorro municipality of Havana, it was finally extinguished in the early hours of this Saturday.
The incident, which originated in a decommissioned industrial facility, kept authorities and hundreds of local residents on edge due to the danger of structural collapses and the potential release of toxic substances such as ammonia.
The Municipal Assembly of the People's Power of Cotorro confirmed on Facebook the extinguishing of the fire.
"Shortly after 4 a.m. on this 12th of April, the fire was extinguished thanks to the hard work of firefighters from various units, with support from the MININT, the Red Cross, the SIUM, the Electric Company, and the Community Services," the message stated.
Specialized technologies were used in the operations, such as drones to monitor the most affected areas and a dismantling crane that facilitated access to collapsed structures.
This facilitated the containment of the fire in a highly risky environment, where the estimated temperature was around 180°C and part of the walls was cracked after a piece of the panel fell.
According to Mayelín Noel Beltrán, the deputy director of the company, the affected structure is very old, located in the brewery's production area, and had been out of operation for decades. It had been in the process of being dismantled for a year to convert it into a warehouse.
The location stored high-risk materials such as carbon dioxide cylinders, ammonia, and dry liquor, which raised the alert level due to the fire.
"A security and protection officer detected the smell of burning rubber, then conducted a tour and noticed smoke coming from the ceiling," she reported to Granma.
Possible causes of the fire
Although investigations are still ongoing, authorities have indicated that a spark generated during the transport of metal structures may have caused the fire. The blaze reportedly started discreetly on Thursday afternoon or evening and spread slowly to enclosed areas, where it found favorable conditions to expand.
"It is too early to assess the exact cause, but all indications suggest that the manipulation of metal structures in an area with flammable materials may have generated a spark that became the initial source," explained the pro-government reporter Lázaro Manuel Alonso, in statements to Canal Caribe.
Evacuations and safety measures
From the early hours of the disaster, the evacuation of 488 people from the 60th district of the Magdalena-Torrientes popular council was ordered. Among those evacuated were a bedridden individual and several minors.
Similarly, teaching activities were suspended in institutions near the affected area, such as the 9 de Abril basic secondary school, the América Latina polytechnic, and the Guido Pérez Valdés primary school.
The highest authorities of the Party and the municipal and provincial government arrived at the scene. Emerio González Lorenzo, the president of the Business Group of the Food Industry, confirmed that the fire originated in an old industrial refrigerator at the brewery.
No fatalities or injuries were reported. The cooling and cleanup efforts in the area will continue over the next few days, as will the technical investigations to more accurately determine the causes of the incident.
A call for prevention
The fire at the Guido Pérez brewery highlights the challenges posed by outdated industrial infrastructure in Cuba, as well as the importance of reinforcing safety protocols during the dismantling or conversion of facilities.
The response of the emergency teams and citizen collaboration helped avert a greater tragedy, but the incident raises questions about industrial safety controls in urban environments.
In the meantime, the people of Cotorro breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the danger has finally been contained, though the fright and the aftermath of the fire will linger in the collective memory for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire at the Cotorro Brewery
How was the fire at the Cotorro brewery extinguished?
The fire was extinguished thanks to the hard work of the firefighters from several teams, with the support of MININT, the Red Cross, SIUM, the Electric Company, and local authorities. Specialized technologies such as drones and a dismantling crane were used to access the collapsed structures and monitor the most affected areas.
What were the causes of the fire at the Guido Pérez brewery?
Although investigations are still ongoing, authorities have indicated that a spark generated during the transport of metal structures could have ignited the fire. It is suspected that the incident began discreetly and spread slowly to enclosed areas.
What safety measures were taken during the fire?
The evacuation of 488 people from district 60 of the popular council Magdalena-Torrientes has been ordered. Additionally, educational activities in institutions close to the affected area have been suspended to ensure the safety of residents and students.
Was there any consequence in terms of casualties from the fire?
Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Efforts for cooling and cleanup will continue to ensure safety in the area.
What is the current status of the brewery affected by the fire?
The affected structure is very old and had been out of operation for decades. It was in the process of being dismantled to convert it into a winery. This highlights the challenges faced by obsolete industrial infrastructure in Cuba.
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