A fire erupted in the intermediate care Neurology ward of the Saturnino Lora Torres Provincial Hospital, the foremost medical facility in Santiago de Cuba, necessitating the evacuation of 12 patients from intensive and intermediate care units last Saturday.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada was the first to report on the incident, relying on accounts from sources and family members inside the hospital, despite the institutional secrecy that authorities could not maintain.
According to eyewitness accounts, the blaze originated from the compressor of an air conditioning unit located in the technical climate control room of the ward. The incident began with a strong scent resembling ammonia, followed by an electrical spark.
Conflicting Reports on the Incident
However, the narrative provided by state media diverges from these testimonies. Acting hospital director Dr. Liader Aguilera Ramos informed CMKC Radio Revolución that the fire started around 4:15 PM due to a voltage surge that caused overheating of the electrical lines of the air conditioning units in the intensive care unit, which led to a minor fire.
Allegedly, the situation worsened when hospital staff used a liquid fire extinguisher instead of a foam one, resulting in a short circuit and causing an explosion that blew off the technical room door and damaged the glassware in the area.
Official Response and Measures
According to official statements, the handling of the incident was different. The director asserted that the fire was quickly controlled thanks to the intervention of medical and technical staff, including nurses, a Trauma specialist with firefighting training, and the on-duty electrician, who used dry chemical powder extinguishers to douse the flames.
A nurse from the facility confirmed the fire's origin: "It was the compressor of an air conditioner that caught fire, but there were no serious consequences. The patients were evacuated immediately."
Patient Evacuations and Hospital Conditions
Of the 12 evacuated patients, four were transferred to other facilities by ambulances from the Integrated Medical Emergency System and motorized patrols, several of whom were urgently sent to the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital, also in Santiago de Cuba.
According to the official narrative, four patients were moved to the intensive care units of the Joaquin Castillo Duany Military Hospital and the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital, while two others were sent to the Cardiocenter.
The remaining patients continued their treatment in other areas of the same hospital, following an internal reorganization that included support from the Cardiology and Neurology services.
The other eight were relocated to different critical wards within the Saturnino Lora Hospital, whose affected area also housed intensive care patients and suffered from leaks from the upper floor, a situation that highlights the silent health crisis plaguing Cuban hospitals.
On Saturday, several fire brigade units, as well as officials from the Communist Party and Provincial Public Health, arrived at the hospital. Anonymous sources within the hospital reported that "patients and family members from other rooms are not allowed to leave."
Questions About the Hospital Fire in Santiago de Cuba
What caused the fire at the Saturnino Lora Torres Hospital?
The fire was reportedly caused by the compressor of an air conditioning unit in the technical climate control room, though official sources attribute it to an electrical overheating due to a voltage surge.
How was the fire managed at the hospital?
According to officials, the fire was quickly controlled by hospital staff using dry chemical powder extinguishers, although initial reports suggest improper use of a liquid extinguisher may have exacerbated the situation.
Were there any casualties from the hospital fire?
Fortunately, there were no serious consequences or casualties reported from the fire. All patients were evacuated promptly.