A blaze broke out on Friday afternoon at a storage facility located behind the Retreats and Gatherings House in El Cobre, once a seminary, adjacent to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity in Santiago de Cuba province.
According to a report from Father Rogelio Dean Puerta, the Sanctuary's rector, the fire was successfully extinguished by the Fire Department, with no injuries or casualties reported.
Sanctuary officials clarified that neither the Retreats and Gatherings House nor the Our Lady of Charity Sanctuary suffered any damage from the fire, which was confined to the warehouse.
They also emphasized that the affected area did not contain donations or valuable patrimonial items, which means there were no material losses related to received aid or historical or religious artifacts.
As firefighters tackled the blaze, the site's administration was on hand to manage the situation, accompanied by the archbishop, who oversaw the response alongside the staff.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as stated in an internal memo issued by the rector.
Additionally, sanctuary authorities noted that the Retreats and Gatherings House has other operational storage facilities, enabling the center to continue receiving donations and aid "through various channels," ensuring the incident does not disrupt ongoing activities.
The statement confirmed that the pastoral and logistical functions of the location continue as usual.
The rector assured that any relevant updates will be provided once the investigation into the fire's origin is concluded.
Photos shared by activist Irma Broek depicted the smoke cloud rising from the fire, leaving a black trail across the sky.
Residents gathered outside the premises to observe the incident.
A week prior, firefighters responded to two emergencies within minutes of each other. Initially, they received an alert regarding an elderly neighbor who had not been seen for several days, and whose residence remained locked. A unit from Command 1 Martí arrived and, after receiving no response, forced entry in the presence of community officials.
Inside, they found 70-year-old Cecilio de los Suitos Compta lying on the floor, severely dehydrated. He was urgently transported by the emergency medical service to a hospital.
While the rescue was underway, firefighters were alerted to another fire at the Soy Processing Plant. The fire originated in the main control panel of the preparation building, but swift action from Command 4 Vista Alegre and rescue technicians prevented the flames from spreading to other parts of the facility. No injuries were reported.
A guard on duty suggested the fire might have started after power was restored, causing sparks and smoke to emerge from the area. Experts are investigating the incident's cause.
Fire Safety and Response in Santiago de Cuba
What caused the fire at the El Cobre Sanctuary warehouse?
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by experts.
Were there any donations or valuable items lost in the fire?
No, the affected area did not contain donations or items of historical or religious value.
How did the fire department respond to the incident?
The fire department successfully extinguished the blaze with no reported injuries or casualties.
Is the El Cobre Sanctuary still operational after the fire?
Yes, the sanctuary remains operational, with other storage facilities available to continue receiving donations and aid.