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“They are already sleeping like babies,” wrote Aris Arias Batalla, provincial head of Operations and Relief for the Cuban Red Cross, while sharing on social media that two elderly individuals in Santiago de Cuba spent the night on cots set up by the response team after losing their bed in a fire—a “romantic” image that reflects the vulnerability faced by older adults on the island.
The incident occurred this Saturday at the home of Juan José Hernández Magaña, 73 years old, and Norma Echavarría Robert, 83, located on D’ Céspedes Avenue, between M and L, number 66, in the Reparto Sueño neighborhood.
According to Arias' explanation on Facebook, while the rescuers were setting up the emergency cots, the elderly could not hide their joy after a tiring day.
Norma, who suffers from dementia, expressed relief at not having to sleep on the floor, a common reality for many Cubans who, after losing everything in a disaster, can barely feed themselves with their minimal pensions, let alone recover what they have lost.
The installation of the beds was a decision made by the provincial team of the Cuban Red Cross, which took on immediate care with the hope that someday governmental actions will arrive to ensure a more stable and dignified solution for the affected couple.
The fire, which occurred at 11:25 in the morning, was ignited when Juan José lit a charcoal grill to cook inside the room, just a few centimeters from the bed, a devastating scene that many are facing due to the lack of liquefied petroleum gas that has been affecting Cuban households for months.
A spark might have reached the mattress and ignited the fire, and although both came out unscathed, they completely lost their bed and some of their belongings.
The images shared by Arias on Facebook show a small room completely covered in soot, with the remnants of a burned mattress still visible.
In the comments, several users expressed concern about the living conditions of the elderly and criticized that, in the midst of the energy crisis, cooking with coal remains a forced practice due to the lack of gas and electricity.
In Cuba, many families are forced to use charcoal or firewood in their homes due to a shortage of fuels, which increases the risk of domestic accidents.
In this case, the tragedy was contained, but the vulnerability persists.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of the elderly affected by the fire in Santiago de Cuba
How did the fire that affected the elderly in Santiago de Cuba occur?
The fire occurred when Juan José Hernández lit a charcoal stove to cook inside the room, which caused a spark to reach the mattress and ignite the flames. The incident was a result of the lack of liquefied petroleum gas, forcing those affected to cook with charcoal.
What measures were taken to assist the elderly affected by the fire?
The Cuban Red Cross set up emergency beds so that they could sleep comfortably after losing their bed in the fire. This measure was an immediate response to the lack of government support for a more stable solution.
Why do the elderly in Cuba face precarious situations like this?
Older adults in Cuba suffer from precarious conditions due to insufficient pensions and an energy crisis that forces them to use dangerous methods such as cooking with coal. The lack of resources and government attention worsens their situation, leaving them exposed to risks such as fires.
What is the current energy situation in Cuba that leads to these dangerous practices?
Cuba is facing a serious energy crisis characterized by a shortage of liquefied gas and frequent blackouts, forcing many families to cook with charcoal or firewood, which increases the risks of fires and other domestic accidents.
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