A bicitaxi battery fire brought traffic to a standstill on Thursday at the airport roundabout in Ciego de Ávila. This incident was reported by Facebook user Liudanis Alarcón Alarcón, who shared a video capturing the intense flames consuming the device in the middle of the avenue. The footage shows a line of vehicles waiting for the fire to be extinguished, with no sound of approaching firetruck sirens or information on what might have caused the blaze.
Fire incidents involving batteries of motorcycles, cars, and bicitaxis are becoming more frequent in Cuba. Earlier this November, a car battery exploded inside a home at the intersection of Trinidad and Reloj streets in Santiago de Cuba. In that case, firefighters responded swiftly and were able to control the fire without any injuries reported.
Just three days ago, another fire broke out in an apartment in the Olivos district of Sancti Spíritus while the homeowners were away. The most common explosions are those involving electric scooter batteries. In September, a fire caused by an electric scooter explosion in the Lawton neighborhood of Havana completely destroyed a workshop and part of a residence.
Recurring Battery Explosions Pose a Growing Threat
In October, during a widespread blackout on the island, an apartment in the 23 Alamar area of Havana caught fire when residents attempted to cook with wood due to lack of electricity. Fires from electric motorcycles have led to significant property and resource losses in the country. One such case occurred in Santa Clara, where a motorbike battery exploded while charging, quickly engulfing a garage in flames and leaving a Lada car charred.
Nonetheless, the most catastrophic fire in recent Cuban history was at the Matanzas Supertanker Base on August 5, 2022. A lightning strike ignited a 40,000-gallon fuel tank, resulting in 17 fatalities and substantial material damages. These damages are partly responsible for the massive power outage experienced in October, as the regime has been unable to restore logistical reserves over the past two years.