This past Sunday, a fire broke out in the parking area of a 12-story building on 3rd Street in Vedado, behind the Meliá Cohiba Hotel in Havana, leaving at least two cars completely destroyed, according to images and videos shared on social media.
The photos reveal bright orange flames and a thick column of black smoke rising above the residential area, indicative of the burning of synthetic materials and rubber. An aerial shot of the scene shows a fire truck arriving as several onlookers kept their distance while watching the event unfold.
Eyewitnesses, rather than intervening, chose to film the incident. The individual who circulated the video humorously noted, "I'm fine, I don't own a car." No casualties were reported, and, as is often the case, the official cause of the fire remains unknown. A Facebook user mentioned, "Details about the fire's origin are still unclear."
This event adds to a growing list of vehicle fires documented in Havana since 2022, a worrying trend that has become increasingly frequent on the island. A common theory among locals and observers blames the poor quality of fuel supplied by the Cuban government. According to online experts, "The gasoline lacks a component necessary for proper octane levels, leading to overheating and combustion."
This theory gained traction in April 2022 when three Lada cars caught fire simultaneously, with social media users attributing the incidents to the fuel sold at Cuban service stations. Recent incidents are numerous: a Mercedes Vaneo ignited in Old Havana on September 16, 2023, a Mercedes-Benz burned on Boyeros Avenue on March 6, 2024, and a Lada caught fire near Puentes Grandes on October 20, 2023.
Structural issues exacerbate the risk: Cuba produces a mere 30,000 barrels of oil daily, compared to a demand of 150,000, and external supplies are inconsistent and sporadic. Compounding the problem are the aging vehicle fleet, lack of spare parts, widespread absence of fire extinguishers, and delays of up to an hour in fire department responses.
This issue is not unique to Cuba. In Venezuela, a country also known for distributing adulterated or inadequately additive-enhanced fuel, Carabobo's Civil Protection recorded over 1,000 vehicle fires between 2021 and 2022 attributed to such causes.
Understanding the Causes and Impact of Vehicle Fires in Cuba
What is believed to be causing the frequent vehicle fires in Cuba?
Many believe that the poor quality of fuel distributed by the Cuban government, lacking essential components for proper octane levels, is causing vehicles to overheat and catch fire.
How has the fuel issue in Cuba affected vehicle safety?
The fuel issue has significantly increased the risk of vehicle fires, compounded by an aging car fleet, lack of spare parts, and slow emergency response times.
Are similar fuel-related vehicle fires occurring elsewhere?
Yes, similar incidents have been reported in Venezuela, where over 1,000 vehicle fires were recorded due to adulterated or inadequately additive-enhanced fuel between 2021 and 2022.