Related videos:
A fire of considerable proportions affected three homes located on 2nd Street in the Sueño neighborhood this Thursday morning, very close to the Moncada Barracks in the city of Santiago de Cuba; two of them suffered devastation in several of their areas.
Despite the material impact, there were no reported loss of human lives, thanks to the quick and effective action of the specialized forces from the Fire Department, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Aguas Santiago company, as reported by the official page of Tele Turquino on Facebook, where the initial details of the incident were shared.
The causes of the fire were under investigation, with no details provided about the origin of the flames or the structural condition of the affected homes.
The images broadcast by the local television station show scenes of devastation: charred structures, collapsed roofs, burnt furniture, and traces of smoke embedded in walls and personal belongings, illustrating the extent of the damage suffered by the resident families.
Aris Arias Batalla specified in his profile that the fire, classified as magnitude Q-104, severely affected two homes and indirectly impacted a third one.
The houses belong to Elvira Zamora Luvin, 66, and Elpidio Mancebo Pérez, 81, the latter recognized as a legend of Cuban baseball.
In Elvira Zamora's home, the fire destroyed the overall roof of the two rooms, the bathroom, the kitchen-dining area, and partially affected the drop ceiling of the living room.
In the case of Mancebo Pérez, the fire caused total destruction from the second bedroom towards the back, while the living room, one bedroom, and the bathroom remained undamaged.
Both houses suffered significant material losses, although fortunately there were no injuries or fatalities.
The affected individuals, elderly people, were alone at the time of the fire due to their physical conditions, so they had to be evacuated by neighbors to a safe location.
Preliminarily, it is ruled out that the incident was caused by cooking with wood or charcoal, and a short circuit in the area of the false ceiling at the back of one of the affected homes is being investigated as a probable cause.
Last Monday, a teacher lost her home in a fire that occurred while she was giving classes at a school in Santiago de Cuba. No injuries or loss of life were reported as a result of the incident.
The incident occurred in the modest home of Cliuvis Premier Rodríguez, located at 18 Calle 8, between A and B, in the Municipal subdivision of Santiago de Cuba, as reported on Facebook by Aris Arias Batalla, vice president of the Volunteer Firefighters Association of Cuba.
Last Saturday, a fire affected the home of an elderly couple in Santiago de Cuba while they were trying to cook with charcoal inside their house.
The spark from a brazier reached the mattress, igniting a fire that destroyed the bed and several belongings. Fortunately, both residents, Juan José Hernández, 73, and Norma Echavarría, 83, managed to escape unharmed.
The situation once again revealed the dangerous reality faced by many Cuban families, forced to use alternative means of cooking due to the lack of liquefied gas and electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fire in Santiago de Cuba
What caused the fire in Santiago de Cuba that affected the homes?
The fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the false ceiling area at the back of one of the affected homes. Although the possibility of it originating from cooking with firewood or charcoal has been ruled out, the exact causes are still under investigation.
Were there any casualties or injuries in the fire at the homes in Santiago de Cuba?
Fortunately, no victims or injuries were reported in the fire thanks to the swift intervention of the firefighters and the support of the neighbors who helped evacuate the elderly residents from the affected homes.
What were the material damages caused by the fire in Santiago de Cuba?
The houses suffered significant material losses, with roofs destroyed, furniture burned, and partial damage to internal structures. The images revealed the extent of the devastation in the properties of those affected.
How does the energy crisis in Cuba affect the occurrence of fires?
The energy crisis in Cuba, marked by a lack of electricity and liquefied gas supply, has forced many families to turn to alternative methods such as using firewood or charcoal for cooking, increasing the risk of household fires and highlighting the deficiencies in emergency prevention and response.
Filed under: