A self-employed worker suffered significant losses due to the devastating fire that consumed the premises where his clothing workshop and mattress storage were located on Tuesday night in the municipality of Guanajay, Artemisa province.
The large fire consumed 400 mattresses, including those for staff and personal use, hundreds of spring frames, as well as wooden frames, rolls of fabric, sheets, and other raw materials in the property that the self-employed individual Héctor Manuel López was renting, reported the official newspaper El Artemiseño this Wednesday.
López, 32 years old, had been engaged in this manufacturing industrial activity for about five years and marketed his products to entities in the state sector, according to what he told the newspaper.
"People receiving social assistance or those who are vulnerable across the country were among the largest beneficiaries of these productions; however, it also covered sectors such as tourism for the camping company and hotels," he explained.
The self-employed worker asserted that, despite living in front of the workshop-storage, once the fire broke out, he had no time to do anything.
“I live across from the storage facility of the José Francisco Costa Velázquez Wine Factory, which I have rented for just over a year, and there was no time for anything. It was nearly eight hours burning in flames,” he recounted.
Despite the great loss, López expressed his determination to resume his venture. “We are alive, and we have to move forward,” he declared to journalist Yudaisis Moreno Benítez.
In the incident, no loss of human life was reported, nor was anyone injured, according to information that emerged on Tuesday.
The mayor of the municipality of Guanajay, Diaberkis Lugo, stated to El Artemiseño that the collection of debris and the cleaning of the site have begun, while the necessary investigations are being conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
“Nothing was left in the damaged premises; the impact was total,” emphasized Josué Marcos González, director of the UEB Costa Velázquez, part of the Beverage and Liquor Company, where the incident took place.
The property, located on Avenue 63, between 56 and 51, had a fibrocement roof and the interior walls were mostly made of wood.
One block from the site, the same UEB has another warehouse for glass, cardboard, and paper containers that “suffered no damage, nor did the entity,” González stated.
"There were also no damages to the neighboring houses," the executive assured. "Upon seeing the smoke escape, it was the neighbors who immediately alerted and called the firefighters, who were supported by other local entities and cooperatives."
Firefighters, units from the Ministry of the Interior, mobile water tankers, as well as resources from Aguas Mariel, a company operating in the Special Development Zone of Mariel, intervened in the extinguishing of the fire.
The combined efforts prevented the flames from spreading and reaching nearby homes, thereby avoiding any casualties. The authorities expressed their gratitude for the firefighters' actions and the cooperation of local residents.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire in Guanajay, Artemisa
What caused the fire in the mattress workshop-warehouse in Guanajay?
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the relevant authorities. So far, the exact origin of the incident that destroyed the clothing workshop and mattress warehouse in Guanajay has not been determined.
What were the losses caused by the fire in Guanajay?
The fire consumed 400 mattresses, hundreds of spring frames, wooden frames, rolls of fabric, and other raw materials. These losses were significant for the self-employed individual Héctor Manuel López, who rented the affected premises.
Were there any human casualties in the fire at the workshop-storage facility in Guanajay?
No loss of human life or injuries were reported during the fire. Despite the intensity of the blaze, the swift actions of the firefighters and the community prevented any casualties.
How will this fire impact the future of the mattress business in Guanajay?
Despite the fire, the self-employed entrepreneur Héctor Manuel López expressed his determination to resume his venture. He stated that, although the damage was significant, he is determined to continue with his business.
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