A fierce blaze engulfed several homes last night in Pasaje Soler, nestled between Princesa and Santa Rosa streets, right in the heart of Santiago de Cuba.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared on his Facebook profile that the flames and a thick black plume of smoke were visible from numerous high points across the city shortly before 8:00 PM.
"Reports indicate that between three and five homes were affected, housing elderly individuals, workers, and children. They have lost everything or nearly everything," the reporter expressed in a live-streamed video.
The dramatic footage shared by the journalist captures vivid orange flames devouring residential structures, with at least one home completely gutted.
"Many residents managed to combat the fierce flames as water was available in the pipes, and they began firefighting efforts before the first fire brigades arrived," he noted, adding that the Martí promenade command in Santiago de Cuba and District 4 were the first responders.
A young woman acknowledged that one of the burned homes belonged to her closest relatives. She later informed Mayeta that her father and grandmother were safe and had taken refuge on Santa Rosa Street, although they had lost everything to the fire.
According to Mayeta, the sole casualty of the fire was a family's pet, which could not be rescued as the house was unoccupied when the blaze erupted.
Mayeta continues to gather precise and updated information on the incident and expressed gratitude to media outlets that remain vigilant to his page's updates.
A witness, who contacted Mayeta around 9:49 PM, confirmed that the fire was finally under control.
Another person alerted to the arrival of numerous police officers, including patrol cars and members of the Technical Investigations Department (DTI).
The deployment of law enforcement — including the Investigations Department — during a humanitarian emergency underscores the tension surrounding any gathering of people in Cuba.
As of now, Cuban authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the fire, its causes, or the condition of those affected.
The blaze at Pasaje Soler adds to a series of recurring fires in Santiago de Cuba, exacerbated by the country's severe energy crisis. Prolonged blackouts — some lasting 40 to 50 continuous hours in certain neighborhoods — force residents to rely on makeshift electrical connections and alternative cooking methods, heightening risks in areas with a high density of old, deteriorating homes.
The provincial Electric Company admitted they couldn't guarantee even two hours of daily service in many instances.
In June, a home in the Jiménez District caught fire minutes after electricity was restored following a blackout, pointing to a short circuit from overload.
On August 24, firefighters extinguished another fire in the Ampliación de Terrazas area. The previous day, a fire at a landfill in Las Tunas caused significant electrical damage to nearby buildings.
Insights into the Santiago de Cuba Fire
What caused the fire in Santiago de Cuba?
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown as Cuban authorities have not released an official statement. However, recurrent fires in the area have been linked to the severe energy crisis and makeshift electrical connections.
How many homes were affected by the fire?
Reports indicate that between three and five homes were affected by the fire, displacing elderly residents, workers, and children.
Were there any casualties in the fire?
The only reported casualty was a pet that could not be rescued from the home where the fire is believed to have started.