Another fire has damaged the side door of the Parish of St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Nicholas of Bari, run by the Escolapios Fathers in Central Havana. This incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 19, due to the burning of accumulated trash in front of the church located at 830 San Nicolás Street.
The congregation itself reported the incident on Facebook, describing it as a situation that has become "all too common." They emphasized that they have notified both the Communist Party authorities and the Central Havana Government "countless times" without receiving an effective response.
"This time, the flames have resulted in the loss of our temple's side door, a material damage that deeply affects our entire community," the Escolapios stated in their announcement.
This is not the first time this parish has been affected this year. On April 9, a similar trash fire on the same San Nicolás Street destroyed the church's main entrance.
Again, on April 23, the makeshift dump next to the church ignited, and firefighters did not respond to the emergency call, as documented in another complaint from the congregation.
The following day, April 24, the Escolapios warned that the church was nearly set ablaze for the third time in less than two months.
By June 7, the situation remained unresolved: trash continued to surround the church, and their efforts with municipal, provincial, and national authorities had yielded no tangible results.
Underlying Waste Collection Crisis in Havana
The root of this series of fires lies in Havana's waste collection crisis, which reached critical levels in 2026. As of February this year, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks in the capital were operational due to fuel shortages and mechanical breakdowns, while the city produces between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily.
Frustrated by the growing piles of waste, some residents have resorted to burning it, leading to fires that threaten historic and religious buildings.
While the Escolapios acknowledge this broader context, they firmly state: "Lack of electricity, water, food, and stolen rest affects everyone, and nobody should be indifferent to that suffering. However, we want to be clear: necessity and fatigue do not justify the deterioration and mistreatment of the house of God and everyone."
The congregation is also dealing with another issue: in May 2026, the Escolapios formally requested the regime return their cloister and school in Guanabacoa, which were expropriated in 1961 and handed over to the Ministry of Education, citing state neglect of the property.
"We trust that, with God's help, this situation will soon be resolved, and definitive solutions for the area's hygiene and safety will be found," the Escolapios' statement concluded, inviting their parishioners to "judge for yourselves what you see and feel as you pass by our front."
Havana's Waste Crisis and Community Impact
What is causing the fires at the Escolapios Church?
The fires are primarily caused by the burning of accumulated trash in front of the church, due to Havana's ongoing waste collection crisis.
How has the waste crisis in Havana affected the Escolapios Church?
The waste crisis has led to repeated fires at the church, causing significant damage to its doors and endangering the historical site.
What actions have the Escolapios taken regarding the fires?
The Escolapios have repeatedly reported the issue to both local authorities and the Communist Party, but they have not received an effective response.