Cuban Officials Say Matanzas Oil Fire in Cuba Now Under Control

After five days of battling intense fires, Cuban authorities reported that firefighters have now controlled the Matanzas oil fire.

It has been described as the worst fire in Cuba's history and has had some long-term effects on a country already struggling with an energy crisis.

Authorities reported that the fire had destroyed 40% of Cuba's main fuel storage facility. It has caused even more massive blackouts in the already-fuel-strapped nation.

According to Reuters, witnesses said the flames have already died down in the ravaged four-tank segment of the Matanzas super tanker depot. The plumes of thick black smoke have also diminished around the area.

Mexican and Venezuelan Firefighters Helped Combat the Blaze in Cuba With Specialized Equipment

Before the fire was contained, the blaze engulfed a fourth tank. Mexico and Venezuela helped out in containing the fire with specialized equipment.

Firefighters from the two countries brought boats, planes, and helicopters that sprayed foam on those burning tanks. While the blaze was mostly contained already, there are areas where fires are still burning.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said crews have taken control of these areas and have already taken steps to quell it. However, he admitted that this was still not an easy task.

One firefighter had been found dead, with 17 more still missing, A total of 125 were injured in the blaze, and 20 remained hospitalized. A total of 4,946 people from around the nearby Dubrocq neighborhood have also been evacuated.

Fears That Fuel Situation Will Worsen in Cuba

Before the fire began, Cuba had already suffered a huge fuel shortage. Thanks to U.S. sanctions.

It forced frequent blackouts around the country and made Cubans use cars even less. According to CNN, Matanzas is Cuba's largest port, regularly receiving crude oil and fuel imports abroad.

It primarily stores Cuban heavy crude and diesel in its 10 super tanks, which were used to generate electricity around the island. With the fire engulfing four of the 10 tanks, concerns about Cuba's deepening energy crisis were rising.

Firefighter Rafael Perez Garriga spoke to Reuters and said he was worried that the fire would impact the ongoing power situation in Cuba.

He noted that the situation in the country was "going to be more difficult." He said the thermoelectric plants were supplied with the oil inside those tanks, and with electricity affected, it will soon affect everything.

Cuba is currently in a tense situation because of the energy crisis. It sparked historic unrest last July. The country is reportedly all but bankrupt due to heavy U.S. sanctions.

The Associated Press reported that officials have not yet provided an estimate of the total amount of damage to the facility. It caught fire last Friday night after lightning struck one of the fuel tanks.

Reports indicated that the first tank was only 50% capacity and contained nearly 883,000 cubic feet of fuel. However, the second tank was full, which might further blow Cuba's overall energy woes.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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