A residential building in the Historic Center of Trinidad, located in Sancti Spíritus, caught fire this Sunday. Firefighters had to assist some residents during the emergency.
An anonymous user sent a video to CiberCuba showing the moment a person was rescued from the blaze. The woman, visibly shaken and in tears, experienced a highly distressing ordeal.
So far, the exact location of the fire remains undisclosed, and the causes are still unknown. Fortunately, no human lives were lost, although there were material damages.
In the video, a neighbor's voice can be heard expressing amazement at the youthfulness of the Cuban firefighters who responded to the incident in Trinidad's oldest quarter. These firefighters are mostly teenagers fulfilling their Military Service, aged between 17 and 21, and appeared inexperienced upon arrival.
Despite their inexperience, these young firefighters worked together to rescue a person from the flames. An elderly woman, although suffering minor burns to her hair, was safely evacuated and reunited with her family and neighbors.
Since 2022, there has been a growing campaign against mandatory military service in Cuba, which gained traction on social media after several recruits died while fighting the fire at the Matanzas Supertanker Base. The campaign uses the hashtag #NoAlServicioMilitarObligatorio, with Cuban netizens demanding the abolition of the law that forces teenage boys to register for military service upon turning 16.
Key Questions About the Trinidad Fire Incident
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the recent fire in Trinidad's historic center and the broader context of military service in Cuba.
What caused the fire in Trinidad's historic center?
The exact cause of the fire has not been disclosed yet, and investigations are ongoing.
Were there any casualties in the Trinidad fire?
No human lives were lost in the fire. However, there were material damages, and one elderly woman was rescued with minor burns.
Why are Cuban firefighters so young?
Many firefighters in Cuba are young because they are fulfilling their mandatory military service, which requires registration at the age of 16 and service from the age of 17 to 21.
What is the #NoAlServicioMilitarObligatorio campaign?
The #NoAlServicioMilitarObligatorio campaign is a social media movement demanding the abolition of mandatory military service in Cuba, especially after several recruits died in the Matanzas Supertanker Base fire.