A home located in the tenement on 13th Street, between Nueva and Jardines streets, in the Veguita de Galo neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba, caught fire on Monday, causing widespread panic among local residents.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta gathered accounts from people who were present at the scene. He confirms that no injuries have been reported, although neighbors remain vigilant for official updates.
The fire department managed to quickly control the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes. Despite the swift response, residents expressed fears that the fire could have easily spread due to the dense arrangement of homes in the tenement.
Authorities are currently investigating the origin of the fire, with some witnesses suggesting it may have been caused by a short circuit following the restoration of electrical service.
Rising Tensions and Frequent Fires in Santiago de Cuba
This incident in Veguita de Galo occurs amid growing tension in the city, where fires have become more common due to ineffective communal services. Recently, frustrated residents set fire to a garbage dump near the "La Plaza" market on Aguilera Street in response to the city's inadequate waste collection.
Residents, exasperated by the ineffective garbage collection, have resorted to burning trash as a form of protest, leading to a series of fires in Santiago de Cuba in recent weeks.