Residents of the Regla municipality reported this Friday the presence of thick smoke and a possible fire in the Havana Bay area, indicating the Ñico López Refinery as the suspected epicenter, according to alerts shared on social media.
According to the citizen report, fire units were heading to the scene "at this moment," while images and comments about the column of smoke visible from various points in the area were circulating.
As of the time of that publication, there was no official confirmation from CUPET or other authorities regarding the existence of the fire, its causes, or the extent of the damage.
Based on the position of the smoke, it appears to be at the Ñico López refinery.
Neighbors and passersby have shared stunning images of the smoke on social media.
However, shortly after, other images began to emerge where the smoke is already seen less thick, fading away.
The official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso confirmed that the fire has been controlled, but did not provide details of the incident.
Images shared after the fire was extinguished show that the flames came very close to the oil refining tanks.
On September 26, 2024, a fire on a Turkish freighter anchored in the Bay of Havana resulted in eight workers being injured, including one foreign citizen in serious condition.
The incident occurred during welding work on a vessel used for accommodation and logistics by the Turkish energy company Karen, which operates in the area.
The incident has rekindled concerns about industrial safety in the Havana Bay area, where high-risk energy infrastructures are concentrated, including the Ñico López refinery.
The proximity of these sites to populated areas, along with the lack of transparency in official reports, has generated criticism and alarm among citizens, who often learn about events through social media and independent outlets.
In this context, the new fire reported at the Ñico López refinery is part of a series of incidents that highlight the vulnerability of the Cuban energy system and the challenges related to maintenance and safety in its facilities.
Although in both cases the authorities claimed to have control of the situation, the events reinforce the public perception that the risks of industrial accidents remain high in the country's oil and port complexes.
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