A fire that broke out on Monday night prompted several firefighting teams to mobilize in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, where flames and a thick column of smoke could be seen from various locations in the area.
The social communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported that the incident occurred in the vicinity of Aguilera and San Agustín streets, a central and busy area of the city.
The released images show firefighters working to extinguish the flames while thick smoke billowed between the buildings in the area.
According to preliminary testimonies received by the independent journalist, the fire is believed to have started in a home that also served as a business.
However, Mayeta clarified that at the time of the initial reports, the exact property affected and the causes of the fire had not been specified.
"From several nearby rooftops, the flames and thick smoke could be observed, while numerous neighbors took to the streets in response to what was happening," the communicator explained.
Neighbors reported that at least three fire trucks, coming from different units in Santiago de Cuba, arrived at the scene to tackle the blaze.
The fire also occurred very close to the provincial station CMKC.
Until the time of the first publication, there was no confirmed information about injured individuals or the extent of material damages.
Shortly after, Mayeta Labrada posted an update from the scene with the message "The fire is dying down."
The images once again showed firefighters working in the affected area, which, it seems, was in the midst of a blackout.
In recent days, several fires have occurred in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, prompting the mobilization of firefighters.
Last Wednesday, a devastating fire partially or totally destroyed five homes on Pasaje Soler, in the heart of the city, according to a detailed report from the provincial vice president of the Volunteer Firefighters Association, Aris Arias Batalla.
On August 22, a car caught fire at the intersection of Nueva and San Francisco streets, also in the heart of the city, and required the intervention of the fire department.
The incident this Monday occurs just days after a leader of the Volunteer Firefighters in Santiago de Cuba warned about the improper storage of fuel within homes.
Aris Arias Batalla warned that storing gasoline or diesel in inappropriate containers and poorly ventilated spaces can turn a house into a "ticking time bomb."
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