On the night of March 28, 2025, a potential tragedy at Beneficencia Street, between 3 and 4 North in the municipality of Guantánamo, turned into a tale of hope and bravery. A house was engulfed in flames, and amidst the chaos, a young woman managed to escape through the back. However, her father, Lugerio Soto Lescaille, unaware that she had safely exited, rushed into the fire, driven by paternal instinct and love. According to official spokesperson Carlos Pérez on Facebook, Soto's heroic attempt was thwarted as thick smoke overwhelmed him, leaving him unconscious amidst the blaze.
When the firefighters arrived, the neighbors were in a state of panic. It was then that two daring young rescuers entered the burning building without hesitation. They found Soto unconscious, suffering from burns, yet were able to pull him to safety in a daring operation against both time and the flames.
More than a month later, Soto, who works in maintenance at the Provincial School of Music, is recuperating with the support of medical staff, his family, and neighbors who still vividly recall that fateful night. His daughters have publicly expressed their gratitude to the rescuers who brought their father back to them alive. Witnesses to the event hailed the firefighters' courage as a shining example of selfless dedication.
Soto himself is undeniably a hero—a devoted father who showed he was willing to risk his life to save his daughter. In extreme circumstances, the courage and quick actions of many Cubans highlight the solidarity and bravery that define the spirit of the island, both at home and abroad.
In a similar display of valor, Rubén Eng, a truck driver in Miami, noticed his vehicle catching fire while refueling. Rather than fleeing, he drove the burning truck away from the gas station, preventing a potential disaster. Witnesses and media praised his actions as heroic, and although he sustained minor burns, his deed remains a testament to civic duty and bravery.
Likewise, in Holguín, a young man bravely entered a burning house to save a trapped elderly woman. They both emerged alive, though the young man suffered burns and was hospitalized. In his neighborhood, he is celebrated as a hero, a symbol of altruism that counters indifference and reaffirms the common citizen's commitment to aiding others in perilous situations.
Bravery and Courage in Cuban Society
What happened during the fire in Guantánamo?
Lugerio Soto Lescaille entered a burning house to save his daughter, unaware she had already escaped. He was rescued by firefighters after being overcome by smoke.
How did the community respond to the fire rescue?
The community expressed immense gratitude towards the firefighters and praised Soto's bravery, recognizing him as a hero for his selfless actions.
Who is Rubén Eng and what did he do?
Rubén Eng is a truck driver in Miami who drove his burning truck away from a gas station to prevent a disaster, and was hailed as a hero for his courageous act.