Fire at Cotorro Brewery Triggers Emergency Response in Havana

A massive fire erupted on Friday morning at the Cotorro brewery located in the Havana municipality of the same name, prompting an extensive emergency response. The blaze, which ignited in the early hours, led to a significant deployment of fire trucks and ambulances in an effort to contain it and reduce risks to employees and the surrounding community.

Fortunately, initial reports indicate that there have been no casualties or injuries. However, authorities ordered a full evacuation of the facility due to the threat of potential structural collapses and the danger of an ammonia leak, a chemical commonly used in the brewery's industrial operations.

Kenia Tumbarell Tamayo, who shared updates on social media, noted the fire originated in the brewery's Plant 3. "Ambulances and fire trucks are being deployed to extinguish the fire," she mentioned in her post.

Journalist Yonny O. Pérez Matos also informed his audience about the ongoing situation, confirming that since early morning, combined forces from the Havana Fire Department have been working to control and extinguish the flames. Pérez highlighted that rescuers acted swiftly by evacuating the brewery staff as a safety precaution.

The risk of the fire spreading further and the potential hazards associated with ammonia—a toxic gas used in the plant's refrigeration process—kept authorities on high alert. Social media was soon flooded with photos and videos showing a thick column of gray smoke rising from the fire site.

Safety protocols were activated, and preventive measures were taken to prevent the incident from impacting nearby areas. Emergency vehicles were stationed in the vicinity while local residents remained vigilant about the developments.

As the day progressed, firefighters continued their efforts to extinguish the blaze and ensure no additional damage to the infrastructure occurred. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but authorities have launched an investigation to determine what sparked the incident at the brewery, which specializes in producing alcoholic beverages.

The situation sparked significant concern among the local population, especially due to the risk of an ammonia leak, a factor that could have magnified the disaster's impact. Thankfully, the evacuation efforts and preventive measures taken by authorities averted what could have been a tragedy. Damage assessments and actions to restore normalcy in the area are ongoing. (Developing story).