The Cuban Fire Brigade issued a warning on Tuesday about the fire risk associated with the storage and sale of fuel in IBC plastic tanks, containers of approximately 1,000 liters that have become increasingly used in private businesses amid the energy crisis the country is facing.
Through the official "Minint Hoy" page on Facebook, the Firefighters urged compliance with various safety measures, including obtaining authorization to store, transport, and sell fuel, and avoiding these activities in homes or places that are not authorized for such purposes.
The institution recommends using approved metal containers that are properly closed, ensuring ventilation and distance from heat sources, preventing smoking or work that produces sparks near the fuel, and having fire extinguishers available.
He also urged the public to report any violations they observe. "If we prevent regrettable events, we avoid the loss of human and material lives. Let's be responsible!" he concluded the message.
The warning sparked numerous criticisms among users, who questioned why authorities merely "recommended" measures in response to an activity they consider high-risk.
"You don't have to recommend; you have to demand. Unfortunately, the occurrence of an accident is just around the corner," commented a person.
Others noted that the announcement comes after months of increased private fuel sales. "This time, the urgency to import fuel took precedence over the risks this entails, without taking the necessary measures," stated another user.
The private marketing of fuels gained momentum after, in February 2026, the government authorized small and medium enterprises and other forms of non-state management to import and market fuel, in an attempt to expand the supply amidst the prolonged energy crisis.
Since then, citizens have reported makeshift sales points in residential areas and establishments that, according to their testimonies, lack adequate conditions for handling flammable substances.
"Fuel is being sold without any safety measures (...) it is being drawn from the tanks with a hose and put into any container, with people smoking and cars running nearby," reported a user in the Firefighters' post.
Another specifically pointed out the situation in La Güinera, Havana: "Come to the La Güinera fair to see how they sell gasoline in those plastic tanks where thousands of people pass by daily."
The concern is not new either. In August, Cuban fire protection specialists had already warned about the storage of fuels in plastic tanks, as well as deficiencies in the containment, grounding, and ventilation systems of facilities used by small and medium-sized enterprises.
That same month, in Holguín, the official press acknowledged irregularities in the sale of fuel, while the reported penalties were limited to four fines of just 60 pesos.
In light of the risks, some users proposed using facilities originally designed for fuel dispensing instead of allowing storage in residential areas.
"Why don't they enable the locations where there used to be a gas station and lease them to those in this business? It would be more professional and safer," one person suggested.
The fear of a large-scale accident also emerged in the comments, with references to the fire at the Supertanker Base in Matanzas in August 2022, which resulted in 17 fatalities.
"Do we have to wait for an accident similar to that of the supertankers for it to become mandatory? Cuba is full of fuel tanks stored without the minimum safety measures, in residential areas," questioned another user.
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