A large fire devastated the ranch known as “La Casa del Campesino”, located in the City Park of Ciego de Ávila, also popularly known as La Turbina, according to reports shared on social media by independent journalist Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez.
"Several users are reporting on social media about a large fire that occurred just a short while ago," Rodríguez wrote on Facebook. The reporter added that "firefighters are on the scene and the flames have already been extinguished," and that "there have been no reported fatalities or injuries so far, according to what has been reported."
The fire consumed "almost all of the facilities on site," as detailed by the journalist, who also indicated that the causes of the incident were unknown, although "several bystanders reported seeing electrical outages occurring while the area was burning."
La Televisión Avileña confirmed the incident and reported that the fire broke out in the afternoon, when the establishment was already closed and only the custodian was present. According to the media outlet, thanks to the quick response of the firefighters, the fire was brought under control, preventing any injuries, although there was damage to the furniture and impacts to the main kitchen and the restaurant.
The authorities of the Ministry of the Interior are investigating the causes of the fire and, according to the report, "are taking appropriate measures to ensure that incidents like this do not happen again and to prevent them."
Recently, similar fires in ranch houses have occurred during blackouts, such as the one that took place in February at the Hershey train station in Matanzas, where firefighters extinguished a fire with no casualties amid a power outage.
In that same facility, a new fire in May once again destroyed the ranchón, the second in less than three years, prompting comments from neighbors who did not rule out the possibility of intentional acts.
Another recent incident occurred in Playa Girón, also in the province of Matanzas, where a large fire destroyed the 4 Esquinas ranchón, with no reports of casualties, but total material losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fires in Ciego de Ávila and Other Regions of Cuba
What happened in the ranchón fire in Ciego de Ávila?
A major fire devastated the ranch known as “La Casa del Campesino” in the City Park of Ciego de Ávila. Fortunately, no victims or injuries were reported due to the swift intervention of the firefighters. However, the fire consumed almost all of the site's facilities. The causes of the incident are still unknown, although there is speculation about possible power outages.
Have other similar fires occurred in Cuba?
Yes, recently there have been several fires in Cuba, many coinciding with power outages. Recently, a fire destroyed the Ranchón de Hershey in Matanzas during a power outage, and fires were also reported at the El Cayuelo recreational center in Ciego de Ávila and at the Inflatable Park in Rancho Luna in Cienfuegos. These incidents have raised suspicions of possible intentional acts.
What measures are the Cuban authorities taking to prevent these fires?
The authorities of the Ministry of the Interior are investigating the causes of the fires and have announced measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Among these measures are the strengthening of penalties for crimes affecting energy and railway infrastructures, as well as the expansion of criminal offenses to include acts considered sabotage.
Why is it suspected that some fires in Cuba may be intentional?
The recurrence of fires during blackouts and at state-run or tourism-related facilities has raised suspicions of possible intentional acts. In some cases, such as the Ranchón de Hershey, local residents have expressed their doubts about the accidental nature of the incidents, suggesting that they may be deliberately caused as a form of protest.
Filed under: