Cuba's worst ever fire brought under control after burning for 5 days at oil depot
(VOVWORLD) - Firefighters on Tuesday finally overcame what officials described as the worst fire in Cuba's history that over five days destroyed 40% of the Caribbean island's main fuel storage facility and caused massive blackouts.
 Cuba's worst ever fire is brought under control after burning for 5 days at oil depot(Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel twitted that the fire was extinguished at 7 am local time and 60 forensic experts have arrived at the site to search for the missing.
So far, 6 people died, 10 remain missing, and 132 people were wounded at fire in the Matanzas IP.
Matanzas is Cuba's largest port for receiving crude oil and fuel imports. Cuban heavy crude, as well as fuel oil and diesel stored in Matanzas in 10 huge tanks, are mainly used to generate electricity on the island. Lightning struck one fuel storage tank on Friday evening. The fire spread to a second by Sunday and engulfed the four-tank area on Monday, accompanied by huge explosions and despite efforts by local firefighters supported by more than 100 Mexican and Venezuelan reinforcements.