A gas leak from a domestic cylinder caused a fire that left four people in critical condition in the municipality of Unión de Reyes, located in Matanzas. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in a home on General Betancourt Street, according to an initial report by Radio Unión Matanzas on Facebook, which stated that the causes of the explosion and the current health status of the injured were unknown.
However, the official profile "Con Todos La Victoria" provided a more detailed account of the incident, asserting that the four victims are in "extremely critical condition due to the severity of their burns," according to a medical report released Thursday noon by the Comandante Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital in the city of Matanzas.
The four injured individuals—two women and two men—were transferred to this medical center after receiving initial first aid at the José Machado Primary Emergency Polyclinic in the municipal center of Unión de Reyes.
In the comments section of Radio Unión Matanzas' post, a neighbor identified the injured as Silvia Oliva, her sister Odalys, Leonel Cedeño, and Rubén Brito. "They are very well-known and beloved in our town," she said.
As of this note's publication, there has been no update on the injured individuals' condition.
After the fire broke out, specialized forces from Fire Command No. 8 in Unión de Reyes "arrived quickly at the scene and immediately controlled the fire," preventing the blaze from spreading to other houses.
The "Con Todos La Victoria" profile blamed the family for the incident. According to their version, the fire "occurred in the kitchen due to a gas leak from a cylinder that had been leaking since the previous day, and yesterday they lit a charcoal stove a few meters away, which quickly ignited and began to spread."
However, several people questioned the page's account, accusing it of distorting the facts. According to comments, the gas cylinder was purchased by the family that same day around 11 a.m.—not the previous day as claimed by the profile—and was placed in the dining room without being installed.
"They should be more careful when posting false information on social media; first and foremost, they should respect those who are fighting for their lives today," wrote a user named Maday Armenteros. "Due to a leak in the cylinder's body (bottom), the gas accumulated in the room, which caused the fire. There is a charcoal stove in the yard, six meters from where the cylinder was, and it was already extinguished."
Armenteros noted that "the patients have received the best care at the Faustino Pérez Hospital so far; the family is grateful for the care, dedication, and communication maintained with the relatives."
Another young woman, identified as Eliany Hernández, angrily reacted to the post: "Because of these ignorant people who make sensationalist news for their convenience, things are getting worse every day. Get informed before informing the public; it's unbelievable that you would lie knowing that many people will react to your post."
Hernández emphasized the tragic event: "First of all, the gas cylinder was purchased around 10:30 a.m. from a state entity, which is supposed to go through a quality control process before being distributed to the public. Apparently, this process is not being followed, and because of poor work, four people from the same family are fighting for their lives in a hospital today."
"Let's not make it seem like it was the family's fault that the gas cylinder was purchased the day before. Please, stop deceiving people and tell the truth if you're going to report news," warned the young woman.
Understanding the Gas Leak Incident in Unión de Reyes
Given the serious nature of the gas leak incident in Unión de Reyes, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide more context and understanding.
What caused the fire in Unión de Reyes?
The fire was caused by a gas leak from a domestic cylinder, which ignited when a charcoal stove was lit nearby.
Who are the victims of the incident?
The victims are Silvia Oliva, her sister Odalys, Leonel Cedeño, and Rubén Brito.
How have the injured been treated?
The injured individuals received initial first aid at the José Machado Primary Emergency Polyclinic and were later transferred to the Comandante Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital for further treatment.
Was the gas cylinder purchased on the same day of the incident?
Yes, according to several witnesses, the gas cylinder was purchased around 11 a.m. on the same day of the incident.