A burning dumpster lit up the darkness of Centro Habana amidst a blackout, in a scene that locals describe as becoming increasingly common in the Cuban capital.
The fire occurred on Maloja Street, at the corner of Lealtad, where an intense column of flames broke the darkness of the night and filled the air with smoke. The images, shared on social media by independent journalist Camila Acosta, show several people watching from a distance.
"RIGHT NOW: They set fire to a dumpster on Maloja Street, corner of Lealtad," Acosta wrote alongside the video of the moment.
So far, the causes of this fire have not been reported, but the incident highlights a recurring issue in various areas of Havana: the accumulation of garbage and its burning as an alternative due to the lack of waste collection.
Just a few days ago, another fire in Centro Habana, at the intersection of Águila and Monte, was also caused by the burning of waste. In that case, the flames spread to an old closed store, necessitating the intervention of firefighters to control the fire.
In densely populated neighborhoods with aging buildings, these fires pose a constant risk. The scene in Maloja, with flames replacing the lighting amid the blackout, reflects not only the precariousness of basic services but also the daily vulnerability of those living surrounded by accumulated garbage and without solutions in sight.
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