Related videos:
A dense column of black smoke alarmed residents of the Regla municipality and passersby at various points in Havana this Friday, following reports of a fire near the Bay, with the Ñico López Oil Refinery as its epicenter.
The first alerts began circulating on social media in the afternoon, accompanied by striking images showing the smoke rising vigorously and spreading across the Havana sky, visible even from distant areas of the port.
According to testimonies shared on the internet, fire units were heading to the site “at that time,” as concerns grew about the proximity of the incident to industrial facilities and vessels in the area.
As of the initial moment of the reports, there was no official confirmation from CUPET or other authorities regarding the fire, its causes, or the extent of potential damages.
However, shortly after, other images began to circulate showing the smoke appearing to lessen, which would indicate that the fire was being brought under control.
The official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso later confirmed that the fire was controlled, although he did not provide details about what happened or whether there were any material damages or people affected.
The situation sparked concern among residents, in a context of increasing deterioration of industrial infrastructure in Cuba and frequent incidents related to technical failures and lack of maintenance.
Filed under: