The massive smoke plume that arose this Saturday near the Hotel Nacional has sparked significant concern among local residents. The incident was captured and shared on social media by passersby and area residents. Videos circulating on Facebook and YouTube depict the thick smoke enveloping the iconic Havana hotel, as well as the confusion and panic that gripped some individuals during the early moments of the blaze.
A resident from O Street between 19th and 21st managed to film the incident from his balcony. His footage provided a detailed view of the fire's progression, which he attributed to a boiler explosion. The recording captured several explosions throughout the event, including the sound of shattering glass. It also showed firefighters arriving, driving against the flow of traffic on O Street, while several vehicles (cars, motorcycles, taxis) hurriedly evacuated the hotel's vicinity.
Other recordings from various parts of the city showed the imposing column of smoke from both close and distant viewpoints. The black smoke cloud reached the height of the tallest nearby buildings. The strong wind blowing through the capital on Saturday accelerated the spread of the smoke and flames.
Official media and hotel executives initially provided conflicting information about the incident. According to Granma, “the forces fighting the flames confirmed that no explosions occurred.”
Meanwhile, Deivid Silva Alfonso, the commercial director of the Hotel Nacional, claimed that the fire was “small in scale,” although it “produced a large smoke cloud that alarmed local residents and some guests.”
In a video posted on Facebook, Silva Alfonso pinpointed the fire's origin “in the area between the hotel's parking lot and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security,” stating the fire broke out around 3:00 PM (local time), outside the hotel premises.
He reassured that “all vehicles in the parking lot were promptly evacuated and were not affected.”
However, the newspaper Trabajadores reported that “strong winds accelerated the fire's spread, reaching the parking area where several electric motorcycles and parts of the rental offices burned.”
A note published by Cubadebate included statements from the Fire Department of the Republic of Cuba, stating that “the strong wind accelerated the fire's spread, reaching the parking area where several electric motorcycles and parts of the rental offices burned.”
“The forces fighting the flames confirmed that no explosions occurred,” the statement said. However, this contradicts accounts from nearby residents who reported hearing explosions during the fire.
According to official media, the incident has not resulted in any “loss of human life so far.”
Key Questions About the Fire Near Hotel Nacional
Here are some frequently asked questions about the recent fire near Hotel Nacional in Havana, based on the latest reports and eyewitness accounts.
What caused the fire near Hotel Nacional?
The fire is believed to have been caused by a boiler explosion, as reported by a resident who filmed the incident.
Were there any explosions during the fire?
While official sources claim no explosions occurred, several residents reported hearing multiple explosions during the blaze.
Did the fire cause any fatalities?
As of the latest reports, no loss of human life has been reported due to the fire.