A family living in precarious conditions in the Altavista neighborhood, near the Abel Santamaría District in Santiago de Cuba, lost their home in a fire this past weekend. A video shared on social media by journalist Yosmany Mayeta captured the moment firefighters were spraying water with a hose, but it was clear they had arrived too late to extinguish the blaze.
In the comments section of Mayeta Labrada's post, neighbors revealed the affected family has three children under ten years old. "They have three kids under 10, and everything burned. Nothing could be saved because the fire started at the meter, and with electricity, none of us could throw water or anything," explained Ailen Muchuly, who appeared to have witnessed the tragic event.
Muchuly further explained that due to the electrical nature of the fire, neighbors were unable to help extinguish it for fear of electrocution. "We had to wait for the firefighters, and by the time they arrived, it was already too late," she concluded. Several people have since called for assistance for the family, who have lost everything.
"I experienced the fire up close because I am their neighbor. Please help; they have nothing left. There was no time to do anything. Everything happened so quickly. This young couple has three small children and must start from scratch," wrote Yunalquis Allardes on social media.
Recent Fires in Santiago de Cuba
In recent months, multiple fires have been reported in homes across Santiago de Cuba. Just last week, another blaze in the province's main municipality left at least two families with damaged homes. Fortunately, there were no injuries in that incident.
The fire broke out around 10:40 p.m. on July 17 in a house owned by four siblings. Luckily, no one was home at the time. Three rooms suffered significant material damage. Neighbors forced open the front door, and according to witnesses, there was no electrical power in the home.
The fire also damaged the home of Lázaro Cuquet Piñón, who had witnessed another severe fire 42 years ago in which his parents, grandparents, and a sister perished. Cuquet Piñón survived by jumping out of the front window. Tragically, that fire was caused by the explosion of two liquefied gas cylinders and occurred in the same house that suffered damage in this recent incident, which originated in a neighboring home.
Officials from the Municipal Administration Council (CAM) and other state agencies such as housing, physical planning, and communal services visited the scene.
Fire Safety and Emergency Response in Santiago de Cuba
This section addresses common questions regarding fire safety and emergency response in Santiago de Cuba, based on recent incidents.
What should residents of Santiago de Cuba do in case of a fire?
Residents should immediately call the fire department and evacuate the premises. It's crucial to avoid trying to extinguish electrical fires with water to prevent electrocution.
How can the community help families affected by fires?
The community can provide immediate assistance by offering food, clothing, and temporary shelter. Additionally, organizing fundraisers and donation drives can help families rebuild their lives.
What measures are being taken by local authorities to prevent future fires?
Local authorities are working on improving fire safety regulations, conducting inspections, and educating the public about fire prevention and emergency response strategies.