Family loses belongings in fire caused by motor oil explosion in Jobabo, Las Tunas

A fire caused by the explosion of a motorbike during the early hours of this Sunday in a house in Jobabo, Las Tunas, resulted in material losses for its residents, who managed to save their lives by exiting the home in time.

The fire broke out around five in the morning in the Batey 2 neighborhood when the battery of an electric motorcycle exploded in the living room of the house, reported the station Radio Cabaniguán.

Almost immediately, the intense flames destroyed the belongings of Maritza Chong and her family, but both she and the other three residents are “in perfect health”, the report specified.

According to the report, the structure of the building "did not suffer significant damage," although the force of the explosion ripped off the doors of the exits and a room in the building, and the fire damaged the main household appliances: refrigerator, televisions, air conditioning units, and others, as well as a gas stove, kitchen utensils, furniture, and clothing. The motorcycle was completely burned.

The information highlights that Chong's quick actions were crucial in “avoiding a greater tragedy.” The woman noticed the fire and immediately alerted her family, allowing everyone to exit the house promptly.

The neighbors alerted the firefighters, who quickly arrived and extinguished the fire. Local authorities also showed up at the scene, expressing interest in the "most urgent needs" of the family, such as "a place to stay, access to water for cleaning, and immediate assistance that social services could provide," the radio station reported.

This is the third fire recorded in Jobabo in 2025 due to the explosion of lithium batteries from motorinas, confirmed Radio Cabaniguán.

The family affected by the fire stated that the battery was not connected to the electrical outlet. Regardless, the incident once again raises awareness about the latent danger posed by electric vehicles in Cuba, particularly electric motorcycles, which have been involved in dozens of fires in recent years, many of them occurring within homes and leading to fatal outcomes.

The frequency and severity of these events have heightened the concern among vehicle owners, the general public, and authorities, and highlight the need for stricter regulations and awareness campaigns regarding their safe use.

Specialists identify frequent causes of motorbike explosions as unstable electrical conditions - already common in the country due to the chronic problems of the National Electric System (SEN) - overcharging of batteries, and improper handling.

Authorities have emphasized that charging batteries overnight and without supervision should be avoided; they must be disconnected once they have reached 100% capacity and should only be repaired by qualified and certified technicians.

They have also recommended always using the original charger provided by the manufacturer, as “generic or incompatible chargers can damage the battery and cause fires.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Motorbike Fires in Cuba