Tragic Fire in Yaguajay Leaves Bar and Homes in Ruins

In the wake of a significant fire on Sunday night in Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus, the bar-cafeteria known as El Refugio, along with five nearby homes, was reduced to rubble. Several families have been left nearly homeless, and the community is grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event.

The incident took place at the Meneses corner, between Panchito Gómez and General Peraza streets, a well-known area among locals. While fortunately no lives were lost, the destruction of property was profound, as reported by the official outlet Escambray.

Images from the scene reveal the extent of the destruction—collapsed roofs, charred structures, and homes turned to ruins. Despite this devastation, the solidarity among neighbors was crucial in preventing further damage. "People helped with whatever they could, climbing onto roofs to stop the fire from spreading," recounted Yeni Pérez Cárdenas, a local resident, to Escambray.

Firefighters from Yaguajay were supported by additional teams from Sancti Spíritus and Cabaiguán to extinguish the blaze. Witnesses described how the fire quickly spread from the roof of the dining establishment. "It was terrible; within just five minutes, everything was ablaze," Pérez Cárdenas explained.

Pérez Cárdenas also praised the bravery of the townspeople and the Ministry of the Interior forces, who managed to salvage belongings for nearly all the affected families. However, not everyone was as fortunate. The family residing in the former optics store suffered significant losses, though they managed to save some appliances.

According to Escambray, municipal committees are now assessing the damage and providing support to those impacted. One family has been temporarily relocated to a local housing unit. While the cause of the fire is under investigation, for the residents of Yaguajay, the incident has left a deep and lasting scar.