A thick, black plume of smoke caused alarm on Friday among residents in the Regla municipality and passersby throughout Havana following reports of a fire near the Bay, centered at the Ñico López Oil Refinery.
Initial alerts began circulating on social media in the afternoon, accompanied by dramatic images showing smoke rising powerfully and spreading across the Havana sky, visible even from distant areas of the port.
According to online testimonies, firefighting units were reportedly "on their way" to the scene at the time, heightening concerns about the proximity of the incident to industrial facilities and vessels in the vicinity.
At the outset of the reports, there was no official confirmation from CUPET or other authorities about the fire, its causes, or the extent of potential damage.
However, shortly after, additional images surfaced showing the smoke appearing to subside, suggesting that the blaze was being brought under control.
Official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso later confirmed that the fire had been controlled, though he did not provide details on the incident, nor did he indicate whether there were material damages or any injuries.
This situation sparked unease among locals, against a backdrop of deteriorating industrial infrastructure in Cuba and frequent incidents linked to technical failures and lack of maintenance.
Understanding the Impact of the Ñico López Refinery Fire
What caused the fire at the Ñico López Refinery?
As of the initial reports, there was no official confirmation regarding the cause of the fire at Ñico López Refinery.
Were there any injuries or damages reported due to the fire?
Official sources did not confirm any injuries or material damages at the time the fire was controlled.
How did the fire affect the surrounding area of the refinery?
The fire caused significant concern due to its proximity to other industrial facilities and ships in the area, but it was reportedly brought under control without widespread incident.