At least four motorcycles parked in a private garage in the Micro 9 neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba's José Martí District were reduced to ashes after a fire broke out in one of them and spread to the others. This was reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on social media, noting that the garage was primarily used to park electric scooters.
"Neighbors quickly wrote and shared what happened," reported Mayeta Labrada. A young local resident specified that the fire left "four scooters damaged because one exploded and the others caught fire."
The young woman mentioned that "thanks to a nearby vendor who had a fire extinguisher, the damage was mitigated, which could have been worse." The incident was confirmed by another neighbor, who noted that the garage housed "more than 50 combustion motorcycles in addition to the electric ones."
Photographs shared by the independent journalist confirmed that at least one of the burned motorcycles was combustion-powered. Two fire trucks arrived on the scene, as seen in one of the images. Judging by the pictures, many other motorcycle owners managed to remove their vehicles from the location.
Recent Similar Incidents
Recently, a motorcycle caught fire in the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa, specifically on the street of the Cruz Verde Polyclinic. The fire occurred in the morning and surprised the neighbors, who did not imagine that the flames would consume the motorcycle in a few minutes, leaving only the metal frame. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and no one was injured, but the motorcycle was completely destroyed.
Earlier in July, the explosion of an electric motorcycle caused a fire and the partial collapse of a house in Camagüey city, with no reported casualties. The house, located at 585 Pobres Street between San Esteban and Jaime, in the historic center of the city, caught fire after a motorcycle's battery exploded while charging, next to a gasoline-powered motorcycle. This incident was reported by Cuban journalist Henry Constantín, director of the independent outlet La Hora de Cuba.
At the end of June, the fire of an electric motorcycle engulfed a garage in flames in a matter of seconds, leaving a Lada car charred in Santa Clara, Las Villas province. Social media reports indicated that the motorcycle owner started charging it upon arriving at the garage, which also contained three small gas canisters. The combination of flammable elements quickly sparked a massive fire.
Frequently Asked Questions about Motorcycle Fires in Cuba
Given the recent incidents involving motorcycle fires in Cuba, many questions have arisen regarding safety, causes, and preventive measures. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What caused the fire in the Micro 9 garage?
The fire was caused by one of the motorcycles, which exploded and subsequently set nearby vehicles on fire.
How many motorcycles were affected by the fire?
At least four motorcycles were completely burned, with a mix of electric and combustion-powered vehicles being affected.
What measures can be taken to prevent such fires?
Proper maintenance of motorcycles, using certified charging equipment, and keeping flammable materials away from vehicles can help prevent such incidents.