A fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon near the water pumping station located in the Pastorita neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared a video on his Facebook wall showing firefighters at the scene.
A local resident explained that "it seemed they were burning grass and garbage near the cistern, and it caught fire to everything else." According to the witness, incredibly, the firefighters arrived quickly at the scene, something that rarely happens when it’s a house fire or a larger-scale blaze.
Although fortunately, the firefighters managed to extinguish the flames before they could spread, some neighbors expressed their alarm due to the proximity to their homes and other facilities in the area, such as the liquefied gas sales location.
"It’s been put out, but it was quite dangerous. This could have spread," said a young man.
"And near the gas point with a huge line, it was very risky," a young woman affirmed.
Fire Safety Concerns in Santiago de Cuba
Given the recent fire near the water pumping station in Santiago de Cuba, many residents are raising questions about fire safety and emergency response in the area. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What caused the fire near the water pumping station?
The fire was reportedly caused by the burning of grass and garbage near the cistern, which subsequently caught fire to the surrounding area.
How quickly did the firefighters respond?
According to witnesses, firefighters arrived quickly at the scene, which is noted as unusual compared to their response time for house fires or larger blazes.
Were there any injuries or significant damages?
Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries or significant damages as the fire was extinguished before it could spread further.