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Firefighters from Guantánamo extinguished a small-scale fire that broke out this Wednesday in the former distillery, which is no longer in operation, in the Argeo Martínez locality of the Manuel Tames municipality, according to official sources.
The fire originated in one of the six metal fuel tanks, all of which are out of service, located in the yard of the facility belonging to AZUMAT, a logistics company in the sugar industry, noted the profile of Carlos Pérez on Facebook, associated with the Cuban government.
There were no reported casualties in the incident, the source specified.
The deposit contained remnants of fuel oil contaminated with water and the fire occurred while the exterior panels of the tank were being cut with an oxy-fuel cutting equipment, reported the acting head of the Central Command, Rafaela Balastro Macías, who oversaw the extinguishing efforts.
According to the report, the firefighters intervened and quickly controlled the incident, described as having "high operational complexity," preventing the spread of the flames and avoiding any loss of life or injuries.
Provincial and local authorities went to the site to "assess the causes, conditions, and those responsible for the incident." As of the time of writing this note, no further information about the event has been published.
In recent weeks, several fires have been reported in the country at state entities, due to various causes.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at the fuel oil generators of the Antonio Maceo Thermal Power Station (Renté) in Santiago de Cuba, where a large-scale fire broke out in late September. Although there were no casualties, the fire added more tension to the already complex situation at the thermal plant, with several units out of service, leaving the plant unable to provide stable support to the National Electric Power System (SEN).
Just two days later, a fire at the Fuel Oil 2 Distributed Generation Site in Los Güiros, in the municipality of Guantánamo, once again raised alarms about the fragile state of the Cuban electrical system.
In the same week, an electrical malfunction sparked the flames that consumed a jeep in the basement or garage of the Bank of Credit and Commerce (BANDEC) in the municipality of Sagua de Tánamo, in Holguín. The Fire Department and local residents were able to control the fire before it spread to other areas of the building.
A gas explosion at the Brisas del Mar hotel in Caibarién, Villa Clara, left three people injured and caused a fire that was extinguished by firefighters earlier this month.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fires and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What caused the fire in the old distillery of Manuel Tames in Guantánamo?
The fire at the old distillery of Manuel Tames in Guantánamo was caused by fuel oil residues contaminated with water. The blaze broke out while the exterior sheets of the tank were being cut with an oxy-fuel cutting device. This incident was quickly brought under control by firefighters, preventing further damage.
How does the current energy crisis affect Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is characterized by prolonged blackouts and a significant deficit in electricity generation. This issue is compounded by the obsolescence of energy infrastructures and a lack of spare parts, leading to constant failures in thermal power plants, such as Renté in Santiago de Cuba, and contributing to an instability that affects the daily lives of citizens.
What other recent fires have occurred at Cuban energy facilities?
Recently, several fires have occurred at energy facilities in Cuba, including a major fire at the Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Power Plant (Renté) in Santiago de Cuba and at the Fuel Oil 2 Distributed Generation Site in Guantánamo. These incidents highlight the precarious situation of the Cuban electrical system.
What measures are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
The authorities are trying to conduct maintenance and repairs on existing plants, however, the lack of spare parts and technological obsolescence limit their effectiveness. The crisis worsens with each new incident, and although there are promises of improvements, effective solutions to ensure a stable electricity supply have yet to be seen.
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