A fire broke out in a residence on Wednesday night at the intersection of Santa Rosa and Calvario streets, right in the heart of Santiago de Cuba. The cause of the blaze remains unknown. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, although there was significant property damage.
The flames reportedly spread to neighboring houses, as noted on social media by journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who cited eyewitness accounts. A video shared by the journalist showed that shortly after the arrival of the fire truck, a brawl erupted among several young individuals, involving at least one firefighter.
In the comments section of the post, a user identified as Iván Vélez clarified the reason behind the perplexing altercation during such a critical moment.
"To clear up any confusion, there was no fight with the firefighters. I was informed that a motorcycle was parked at the corner of Santa Rosa, and when the fire truck came up the street, the motorcycle was blocking its way," he explained, which is indeed confirmed in the video.
"Two neighbors moved it to allow the fire truck to pass because the owner was nowhere to be found. When the motorcycle owner arrived, he confronted the neighbors, claiming they had damaged the bike while moving it," Vélez added.
Vélez specified that the argument escalated into a physical fight. The motorcycle owner later identified himself as an officer of the DTI (Technical Investigations Department).
It's unclear whether the residents were home when the fire started. While Mayeta mentioned that they were at the beach, at least two commenters on the post disputed this claim. As of the publication of this article, no further details have been confirmed about the fire, which is not the first incident of its kind reported in recent months in the capital municipality of Santiago.
Details and Implications of the Santiago de Cuba Fire
Given the complexity and multiple aspects of this incident, here are some frequently asked questions to provide a clearer understanding.
What caused the fire in Santiago de Cuba?
The cause of the fire is still unknown as investigations are ongoing.
Were there any casualties or injuries?
No, there were no reported injuries or fatalities. However, there was significant property damage.
What led to the altercation at the scene?
The altercation was due to a motorcycle blocking the fire truck's path, which neighbors moved. When the owner arrived, he confronted the neighbors, leading to a physical fight.