Large-Scale Fire Reported Near Santa Marta, Varadero

A massive fire broke out this Saturday near Santa Marta and Varadero in Matanzas Province, causing widespread concern among local residents. Social media platforms were quickly flooded with images and videos showing a thick column of black smoke rising ominously over the area, sparking alarm among the community.

"A large-scale fire near the Varadero toll, apparently involving Cuban crude oil tanks," noted a user in the Facebook group 'Ciudad de Matanzas en fotos,' sharing a photo of the smoke plume. Other photos and videos of the incident were shared in the comments of this post. Meanwhile, independent journalist Alberto Arego highlighted the event on his social media, although there has been no official comment from authorities or state media so far.

According to accounts shared by citizens on Facebook, the blaze reportedly occurred near the Varadero toll and is believed to affect tanks or pipelines containing crude oil extracted from local wells. "It's an oil well located in that area. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it is clearly engulfed in flames," a witness reported on social networks.

At present, there is no official information regarding the cause of the blaze, nor have there been any reports of damage or casualties. However, some residents claim that the fire has already been extinguished. "They've put it out; I live nearby," one user stated on social media.

The images depict a dense black smoke cloud visible from various points in the Matanzas region near Varadero, highlighting the scale of the incident. Authorities are expected to provide details on the event and potential causes of the fire in the coming hours.

This is a developing story. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.