The Caribbean island of Cuba faces a two-pronged battle this week, with a major fire burning at a fuel-storage terminal located just outside of the capital city of Havana. According to the Cuban government, the blaze, believed to have started on Sunday evening, is still ongoing and no fatalities have been reported so far.
I. Overview of the Terminal Fire
The current crisis began when a fire broke out at the Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex shortly before 10 pm on Sunday evening. Most cities around the world would have been asleep during this time, but Havana was bustling during the prime evening hours.
Witnesses have described flames and thick smoke rising from the terminal area, located at the western enclave of the city, near the docks area.
The initial response was quick and well-coordinated, as multiple fire brigades and over 120 firefighters raced to the scene to contain the blaze. Most traffic in the area was diverted or blocked out as far away as possible.
The Cuban Government has confirmed that the fire continues to rage, but the efforts to contain the situation are ongoing.
It is still unclear how the blaze began and what the full extent of the damage is, but there are indirect signs that the fire has caused significant disruption around the area.
II. The Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex
The Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex is one of the largest fuel-storage facilities around the Caribbean Sea and has a direct effect on the lives of millions of people in the region.
It is located just west of the capital city of Havana and is considered an important part of the national oil economy. The terminal stores fuel for both the Cuban nation, as well as for its international customers.
No casualties have been reported from the inferno, but an estimated 500 people were evacuated from the surrounding residential area shortly after the blaze began.
III. Cuba’s Current Situation
According to the official Cuban press, the national army engineers are assisting the weary firefighters as they mobilize to fight the blaze.
These efforts have been critical, as official government sources have revealed that the flames have spread over a distance of 2 kilometres.
The terminal is located near the Mariel Port and nearby industrial complexes, making the current crisis more complex and necessitating creative solutions to the risk of further contamination and environmental damage.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Cuba may be dealing with another crisis in the form of a leaking oil-storage tank. Cuban state media has reported that an oil truck was diverted to a special containment area and is being checked for possible leaks.
More updates and information are expected soon as the Cuban government works closely with local fire brigades to contain the situation.
IV. Possible Causes of the Fire
Presently, the source of the blaze is still unknown. The Cuban government has refused to speculate on the cause of the fire, but the experts have hinted the fire could have been caused by the natural gas that is stored and used at the terminal.
Given the complexity of the petrochemical industry, the official investigations into the fire could take many weeks.
V. International Response
The current crisis has not gone unnoticed by the international community, with many nations expressing their solidarity and support to the Cuban people in this hard time.
The island nation of Jamaica, located to the south, has offered to provide Cuba with two fireboats in an effort to help contain the blaze. The fireboats, which are capable of spraying up to 2,500 gallons of water per minute, are expected to arrive soon.
The United States has also expressed its support for Cuba by providing dispatch teams for the fire and providing technical advice.
VI. What is Being Done to Help?
To aid with the national effort to contain the fire, the Cuban army has set up a special operations task force to assess the situation and coordinate recovery activities.
The Cuban government has also implemented a no-fly zone in the area and has restricted public access in this, critical moment.
Cuba has enlisted the help of both the armed forces and police forces to put an end to the crisis and to help protect the thousands of people who have been affected.
VII. How Can You Help?
The Cuban government has asked people around the world to help with this ongoing crisis by making donations to the affected community.
The Cuban government has also urged people to remain in their homes and to avoid gathering in the area while the battle against the fire continues. There is still a risk of further explosions and people should not attempt to enter the affected area without special permission.
Additionally, the Cuban government has created a special Twitter hashtag, #CubaFuoco, to update people about the progress made against the fire.
The current fire situation in Cuba is serious and has put thousands of people at risk of harm.
The Cuban government is working hard to contain the blaze, but the situation is complex and help from the international community is still required.
We hope that with the combined efforts of both the Cuban authorities and international NGO’s, the blaze can be contained and the area can get back to an acceptable level of safety.
