After the fire was extinguished this past Saturday in Boca de Camarioca, close to Varadero, officials have disclosed further information about the individuals involved and the circumstances that led to the incident. The blaze ignited in an area traversed by an oil pipeline from oil field wells, specifically at a location known as La Conchita, situated just a mile and a half from the toll station.
Marcos Pestana, the general manager of the Central Oil Drilling and Extraction Company, stated that the fire originated when a local resident used flames in his yard to clear weeds, which were then spread by the wind to adjacent vegetation. The fire eventually reached an area where oil was deposited for biological degradation, causing it to ignite.
Francisco Iván Llui Fleitas, head of Safety and Occupational Health for the entity, explained that residual oil had been left among the weeds after repairing a previous malfunction. This crude oil quickly caught fire, creating a significant smoke column.
He emphasized that there was no damage to the underground pipeline, which ceased operation as soon as the fire started and resumed its pumping activities once the blaze was put out. He clarified that the nearest collection center is two kilometers away and denied reports of any oil well fires.
Firefighters from Matanzas and Santa Marta successfully controlled the flames in the area without major challenges. Authorities have urged the public to handle fire cautiously in forested areas or when dealing with flammable vegetation, particularly during a season when forest fires are more prevalent.
Initially, social media witnesses claimed that the flames were emanating from crude oil tanks or pipelines, but these assertions have been proven false. Official journalist José Miguel Solís highlighted that the incident appeared more dramatic due to the volume of smoke rather than actual material damage. "Fortunately, local residents agree it was more smoke than damage," he reported.
Understanding the Varadero Fire Incident
What caused the fire near Varadero?
The fire was caused by a resident using fire to clear weeds in his yard. The wind spread the flames to adjacent vegetation, eventually reaching an area with deposited oil, which caught fire.
Was there any damage to the oil pipeline?
No, there was no damage to the pipeline. It is buried underground and stopped functioning as soon as the fire started. It resumed normal operations after the fire was extinguished.
Were any oil wells affected by the fire?
No oil wells were affected. The nearest collection center is two kilometers from the site, and no wells were involved in the fire.