A fire broke out in a building located at the corner of Águila and Monte streets in the Centro Habana neighborhood after flames from a burning trash heap spread to an old, long-closed store.
An eyewitness captured the scene in a brief, 20-second video shared on Instagram by journalist Mario J. Pentón. The video shows the building engulfed in flames, while the narrator provides a real-time account of the unfolding events.
In the video, the narrator states, "This just happened right now at Águila and Monte. They set the garbage on fire, and it spread to an old store that's been closed there on Monte and Águila, here in Centro Habana. The firefighters arrived to put it out."
According to the witness, firefighting teams arrived on the scene to extinguish the blaze. So far, no casualties have been reported, and the extent of the material damage caused by the fire has yet to be determined.
The affected building is described as an old construction store that was closed at the time of the fire, similar to many other establishments that have been shuttered due to the structural damage of Havana's aging buildings.
This incident underscores the severe crisis in Havana's solid waste collection service. In the absence of regular trash pick-up by authorities, both residents and workers have resorted to burning accumulated waste in the streets.
This hazardous practice poses a significant threat to nearby structures, many of which are in advanced states of disrepair due to decades of neglect and lack of maintenance—a situation directly tied to the Cuban regime's indifference toward managing the capital's essential services.
Key Questions on Havana's Waste Collection Crisis
What caused the fire in Centro Habana?
The fire was caused by flames spreading from a burning trash heap to an old store at the intersection of Águila and Monte streets.
Were there any casualties reported?
No casualties have been reported following the fire.
What issues does this incident highlight in Havana?
The incident highlights the severe crisis in Havana's waste collection services, leading to dangerous practices like burning trash in the streets due to lack of regular collection.