Cuban authorities have identified the cause of the fire that devastated Playa de Cunagua in the Ciego de Ávila province. A 44-year-old individual, residing illegally in the area, was found responsible for the blaze, as reported by local media.
The fire ignited on Saturday, March 15, at 7:50 PM in District 37 of the Urban Popular Council in the Bolivia municipality. According to the state-run newspaper Invasor, the fire started from an unattended wood stove, which quickly spread to the thatched roof of a neighboring house.
The inferno caused substantial damage, impacting 20 vacation homes and 189 temporary beach structures, most of which were made from highly flammable materials like thatch and wood. Thankfully, these properties were unoccupied at the time of the incident. Additionally, the fire caused significant damage to the area's electrical networks.
Specialized firefighting brigades, along with forest workers and local residents, collaborated to extinguish the fire, preventing it from reaching the ecologically valuable areas of the Cayo Cunagua nature reserve. Dramatic images shared on Facebook by users after the incident show charred homes, structures reduced to rubble, and a bleak landscape.
This fire in Playa de Cunagua is eerily reminiscent of a destructive blaze in February 2023, which also razed at least 18 homes in the same community. That earlier fire was similarly linked to an improperly extinguished wood stove, highlighting a troubling lack of preventive measures and safety protocols in the area.
Despite the impact of that previous disaster, authorities failed to implement effective solutions to prevent such incidents from recurring, leaving the community in a state of ongoing vulnerability. Now, residents are demanding concrete actions to ensure greater safety and prevent Playa de Cunagua from remaining a scene of avoidable tragedies.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cunagua Beach Fire
What caused the recent fire at Playa de Cunagua?
The fire was caused by a 44-year-old individual who left a wood stove unattended, which ignited the thatched roof of a neighboring house.
How widespread was the damage from the fire?
The fire damaged 20 vacation homes and 189 temporary beach structures, and also caused significant harm to the local electrical networks.
Were there any measures taken to prevent the fire from spreading to ecologically sensitive areas?
Yes, specialized firefighting units, forest workers, and local residents worked together to extinguish the flames before they reached the protected areas of Cayo Cunagua.
Has this kind of incident happened in Playa de Cunagua before?
Yes, a similar incident occurred in February 2023, when an improperly extinguished wood stove led to a fire that destroyed at least 18 homes.