A fire broke out on Tuesday at noon in the ravine near the Sergio Soto refinery, in the municipality of Cabaiguán, according to reports from local residents and workers in the area.
The combustion occurred in the stream contaminated with oil residues, rubber, and other materials, generating a dense column of black smoke that rose high into the air and approached the nearby homes.
According to information shared on Facebook by user Mario Zequeira Brito, the intervention of the authorities and workers allowed for the fire to be extinguished without further consequences.
"With the presence of the Government, the Party, MININT, the fire department, and workers from the Sergio Soto refinery in Cabaiguán, the fire that broke out today in the refinery's ravine in this municipality was quickly extinguished," he stated.
Additionally, Nesty Pino noted that, fortunately, no personal injuries were reported.
"The contaminated stream filled with oil and rubber waste, among other things, is located near the Cabaiguán refinery. Thank God, there were no major consequences," he stated.
The videos shared on Facebook show the thick black smoke, an indicator of the significant amount of fuel being burned, visible from various points in the municipality.
The proximity of the fire to the nearby homes and the prolonged exposure to smoke for the residents raised alarm and concern about the possible impacts on health and the environment.
The action of the firefighters and refinery workers allowed the situation to be brought under control before any major damage or injuries occurred, although the presence of combustible materials and substances complicated the operations further.
A resident of the area recalled that this is not the first time a similar fire has occurred in the ravine, highlighting the environmental fragility of regions near industrial facilities and the urgency of strengthening procedures to prevent and manage such emergencies.
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