Fire spreads at Cuban oil facility as third tank catches fire

Havana (AP) — A fatality that started somewhere A massive fire at a large oil storage facility in western Cuba spread Monday after flames enveloped a third tank that firefighters were trying to cool as they struggled to fight the massive blaze.

At least one person was killed and 122 injured, dozens more since the lights came on in one of his eight tanks at the facility on Friday night. Firefighters are reported missing. A second tank caught fire on Saturday, causing several explosions.

"The risk we announced occurred and the flames in the second tank endangered his third tank," said Mario Savines, governor of the western state of Matanzas where the facility is located. rice field.

Firefighters sprayed the remaining tanks with water over the weekend to try to cool them down and stop the fire from spreading.

The governments of Mexico and Venezuela put out fires as local authorities warned residents to use face masks or stay indoors, given the billowing smoke that enveloped the area, which could be seen from the capital, Havana. A special team was dispatched to support the activities. More than 65 miles (100 kilometers) away. Officials warn the clouds contain sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other toxic substances.

Most of the injured were treated for burns and smoke inhalation, five of whom are still in critical condition. Over the weekend, authorities found the body of his one firefighter.

Sabines and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said a search for the missing firefighters was impossible given the soaring temperatures.

A fire at the Matanzas supertanker base in the city of Matanzas prompted authorities to evacuate more than 4,900 people. Most of them were evacuated from the nearby Dubrok district. His eight huge tanks at the facility contain oil used to generate electricity, but it was not clear how much fuel was lost as a result of the blaze. The first tank to catch fire was at 50% capacity and contained approximately 883,000 cubic feet (25,000 cubic meters) of fuel.

The fires broke out at a time when Cuba was suffering from a severe economic crisis and faced frequent power outages during the sweltering summer. Authorities have not provided a preliminary estimate of the damage.

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Andrea Rodriguez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARodriguezAP