A massive blaze erupted early Monday at the Santa Teresa neighborhood's fireworks workshop in Los Chivos, Camajuaní municipality, Villa Clara, impacting seven homes, with two suffering complete loss of belongings, as confirmed by local authorities and citizen reports.
The fire ignited around 6:25 a.m., startling residents with a loud explosion and a dense plume of smoke visible across various parts of the town.
The affected structure is part of a fireworks facility traditionally associated with creating pyrotechnics for the Camajuaní Parrandas, one of the province's most renowned celebrations.
According to communicator Henry Omar Pérez and user Oscar Salabarría, the fire was described as "massive," but was swiftly brought under control shortly after dawn, thanks to the prompt actions of firefighters, the Interior Ministry forces, the Red Cross, and the Integrated Medical Emergency System.
Provincial authorities, led by Susely Morfa González, President of the Villa Clara Provincial Defense Council, and Milaxy Yanet Sánchez Armas, Vice President of the same body, arrived on the scene to coordinate aid for the affected families.
"There are no reports of casualties or injuries," both officials confirmed in statements gathered by official media, as the fire's causes remain under investigation.
Residents in the area have shared images and messages of support for the affected families on social media. Lianny Morera, from the 'Parranderos de Camajuaní' group, commented, “I am a Sapo at heart, but seeing the tragedy that struck our rival neighborhood, Los Chivos, breaks my heart. Poor hilly neighborhood, it's lost everything.”
The fire caused significant material damage, including collapsed roofs and the loss of appliances, furniture, and personal belongings, as confirmed by neighborhood inhabitants. Local brigades are assessing damages and working on restoring electricity, which was temporarily disrupted by the flames.
The Camajuaní Parrandas, declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation, are famed for the rivalry between the Santa Teresa (Los Chivos) and La Loma (Los Sapos) neighborhoods, with their pyrotechnic tradition being a central part of the municipality's festive spirit.
The incident has left a mark on a community that gears up every December for Villa Clara's most anticipated festivities.
As this report concludes, the exact causes of the fire have not been disclosed, though it appears to have been an internal deflagration during the storage of explosive materials.
CiberCuba will continue to update this story as official reports on the ongoing investigations are released.
Key Questions About the Camajuaní Fire
What caused the explosion at the Camajuaní fireworks facility?
The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been disclosed, but it is believed to have been an internal deflagration during the storage of explosive materials.
Were there any casualties reported due to the fire?
Thankfully, there have been no reports of casualties or injuries resulting from the fire.
How many homes were affected by the fire?
The fire impacted seven homes, with two of them suffering total loss of belongings.