The fire at the Ñico López Refinery in Havana is said to be under control, according to reports from the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba (MINEM) and other official sources mentioned on Friday, following citizen reports of a column of black smoke visible from various points in the capital.
"Controlled fire that occurred this afternoon in one of the warehouses located at the 'Ñico López' Refinery. The causes are under investigation," reads the statement from MINEM.
The first alerts about the incident circulated on social media from the municipality of Regla, where residents reported thick smoke in the Bay of Havana area and indicated the refinery as a possible epicenter, while stating that fire units were heading to the site.
At that initial moment, there was no official confirmation from CUPET or other authorities regarding the source of the smoke, the causes of the event, or the extent of potential damage.
Until the last report mentioned, no further public details about what happened have been provided.
As seen in the images shared on social media, the fire occurred in areas close to the refinery's tanks, alarming the residents of Havana.
The recent fire at the Ñico López Refinery in Havana reignites the debate about industrial safety in the Cuban energy sector.
Although the authorities from the Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that the fire was brought under control without any human casualties, the incident adds to a series of similar events that have occurred in recent years at the country's strategic facilities.
In May 2022, a "small fire" affected a warehouse at the Guaicanamar Convention Center, very close to the Ñico López refinery in Havana.
At that moment, the swift action of the Fire Department prevented the flames from spreading, and the fire was extinguished without causing any injuries.
However, the incident raised concern among the residents of the area, who recalled the proximity of fuel depots and other hazardous structures.
These background details illustrate the recurrence of incidents in Cuban energy infrastructure, characterized by technical deterioration, lack of maintenance, and scarcity of resources.
The recurrence of these events reinforces citizen concerns about the responsiveness to emergencies and the security conditions surrounding one of the most sensitive industrial areas in Havana.
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