A fuel tank supplying the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas caught fire this Friday, but firefighters have managed to bring the blaze under control, according to state-run media.
Journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso reported on his Facebook page that "one of the two crude oil tanks supplying the plant" was engulfed in flames. The regime's spokesperson has not yet confirmed if there are any casualties as the news is still developing. He mentioned that the tanks are located outside the CTE. The Guiteras plant continued to operate, connected to the National Electroenergetic System, while firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, he detailed. Journalist Arleen Matamoros updated that the firefighters have already controlled the situation.
This statement surprised many skeptical Cubans who noted that previously, "extinguishing fires in fuel tanks was not a matter of minutes." A few days ago, another similar fire broke out in the brush areas near the Matanzas Supertanker Base and the Rayonitro company, close to the Guiteras in the Bay of Matanzas.
The origin point of that fire was behind the water tanks. According to authorities, that area is far from where new tanks are being constructed. However, these incidents remind Matanzas residents of the tragic fire at the Supertanker Base, which occurred at sunset on August 5, 2022, when lightning struck a tank holding 40,000 gallons of fuel.
The flames spread to three other tanks storing fuel oil and crude oil from the refinery in the Bay of Matanzas. The fire remained active for several days, resulting in 17 deaths and over a hundred injuries.
Questions and Answers on the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant Fire
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the recent fire at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas, Cuba.
What caused the fire at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant?
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is known that one of the two crude oil tanks supplying the plant caught fire.
Were there any casualties in the fire?
As the news is still developing, authorities have not yet confirmed if there are any casualties.
How long did it take to control the fire?
According to journalist Arleen Matamoros, firefighters managed to control the situation relatively quickly, although this has raised skepticism among some Cubans.