Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Oil facility fire jeopardizes Cuba’s frail electric system
A man types on his cellphone near a huge plume of smoke rising from the Matanzas Supertanker Base as firefighters work to quell the blaze which began during a thunderstorm in Matanzas, Cuba, Monday, August 8, 2022. Cuban authorities say lightning struck a crude oil storage tank at the base, sparking a fire that sparked four explosions. (AP Photo/Ismael Francisco)
Latest News
August 8, 2022

Oil facility fire jeopardizes Cuba’s frail electric system

HAVANA, Cuba (AP) — A deadly fire that began at a large oil storage facility in western Cuba spread on Monday, threatening to plunge the island into a deeper energy crisis as it forced officials to shut down a key thermoelectric plant.

Flames around dawn enveloped a third tank that firefighters had tried to cool as they struggle to fight the massive blaze in the western province of Matanza that began just days after the government announced scheduled blackouts for the capital of Havana.

At least one person has died and 125 are injured, with another 14 reported missing ever since lighting struck one of the facility’s eight tanks on Friday night. A second tank caught fire on Saturday, triggering several explosions at the facility, which plays a key part in Cuba’s electric system.

“The risk we had announced happened, and the blaze of the second tank compromised the third one,” said Matanzas Governor Mario Sabines.

By late Monday, four tanks were compromised, Lieutenant Colonel Chief Alexander Ávalos of Cuba’s fire department told Televisión Cubana.

“The fire has taken on a greater magnitude,” he said.

Firefighters had sprayed water on the remaining tanks over the weekend to cool them but failed to stop the fire from spreading. On Monday afternoon, the government’s power company announced that the fire had forced the shut down a thermoelectric plant that provides power to the island’s western region after it ran out of water, according to the official Cubadebate website. No further details were immediately available.

The governments of Mexico and Venezuela have sent special teams to help extinguish the fire, with water cannons, planes and helicopters fighting the fire from several directions as military constructions specialists erected barriers to contain oil spills.

Local officials warned residents to use face masks or stay indoors given the billowing smoke enveloping the region that can be seen from the capital of Havana, located more than 65 miles (100 kilometers) away. Officials have warned that the cloud contains sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other poisonous substances.

The majority of those injured were treated for burns and smoke inhalation, and five of them remain in critical condition. A total of 24 remain hospitalised. Over the weekend, authorities found the body of one firefighter as relatives of those still missing gathered at a hotel to await news about their loved ones.

Sabines and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said it was impossible to search for the missing firefighters given the roiling temperatures.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Congressional Caribbean Caucus condemns Trump’s illegal military strikes in the Caribbean
Latest News, Regional
Congressional Caribbean Caucus condemns Trump’s illegal military strikes in the Caribbean
November 1, 2025
WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The co-chairs of the Caribbean Caucus in the United States House of Representatives have strongly condemned what the...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Long lines, short tempers as fuel shortages grip western Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
Latest News, News
Long lines, short tempers as fuel shortages grip western Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
SANDENA JAMES, Social Media Editor 
November 1, 2025
TRELAWNY, Jamaica – There was mounting frustration in storm-ravaged western Jamaica on Thursday as fuel shortages continued to plague motorists severa...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Americans stranded in Jamaica amid Hurricane Melissa brought home by US non-profit
Latest News, News
WATCH: Americans stranded in Jamaica amid Hurricane Melissa brought home by US non-profit
Tourists commend hospitality shown by island’s hotel workers amid disaster
JULIAN RICHARDSON, Online content manager, richardsonj@jamaicaobserver.com 
November 1, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica – More than 300 Americans stranded in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa departed the island Friday on rescue flights chartered by ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Vaz gets tough on JPS as 66 per cent of customers remain in the dark
Latest News, News
Vaz gets tough on JPS as 66 per cent of customers remain in the dark
October 31, 2025
Like he did during Hurricane Beryl last year, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has begun to get impatient with utility provider Jamaica Public Service (JPS),...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Much of Falmouth destroyed by Melissa – McKenzie
Latest News, News
Much of Falmouth destroyed by Melissa – McKenzie
October 31, 2025
Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, says he has been informed by the Mayor of Falmouth, Colin Gager, that the old, historic town was all b...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Golding calls for immediate support for residents in Westmoreland
Latest News, News
WATCH: Golding calls for immediate support for residents in Westmoreland
October 31, 2025
Opposition Leader Mark Golding is calling for immediate relief support for residents in Westmoreland severely affected by Hurricane Melissa. "It is ob...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Golden Krust to provide aid, donations to Jamaica
Latest News, News
Golden Krust to provide aid, donations to Jamaica
October 31, 2025
In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, Golden Krust restaurant group says it is leading an effort in the United States...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Thrifty gas stations transitioning to 24 hour service to support residents
Latest News, News
Thrifty gas stations transitioning to 24 hour service to support residents
October 31, 2025
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Thrifty gas stations will extend service hours in key areas, plus coordinate direct delivery to hotels and essential services to e...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct