In the early hours of Wednesday, a fire broke out at the headquarters of the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba, located at 352 Zanja Street, corner of Escobar, in Central Havana. This marks the second incident in just four months.
Photos sent to our newsroom confirmed that the blaze erupted shortly after midnight, prompting firefighters to respond. Although the images showed smoke and visible damage to the building's exterior, reports indicate that the interior of the facility remained largely unscathed.
By this morning, workers from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) had replaced the burned-out connection closet. As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, UNE employees were still working in the area.
As of this report, no further details have emerged about the incident, nor is the cause yet known. Earlier in October, a similar fire occurred during the morning hours, leading to a swift response from firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Preliminary reports at that time, cited by independent media, suggested that the blaze was triggered by the explosion of an electrical transformer located on the building’s facade. Firefighters, in conjunction with security personnel, acted quickly to extinguish the flames and secure the affected area. Cuban authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding either of these fires.
Understanding the Repeated Fires at Havana's Official Gazette
What caused the recent fire at the Official Gazette in Havana?
The cause of the recent fire remains unknown as authorities have not released any official statement. Previous incidents have been attributed to electrical issues.
How have the authorities responded to these fires?
Firefighters and security personnel have responded promptly to extinguish the fires and secure the area. However, Cuban authorities have not provided any official communication regarding these incidents.
What were the preliminary findings of the October fire?
Independent media reported that the October fire was likely caused by the explosion of an electrical transformer on the building’s facade.