Matanzas fire update: Cuban dictatorship unable to control raging inferno

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From our Bureau of Socialist Disaster Management

Summary update: The devastating fire broke out on Friday night in a fuel tank and in the early hours of Saturday spread to a second warehouse. The base has eight tanks. Experts warn that the fire could continue to spread.

Headlines:

One firefighter confirmed dead. A total of 120 people injured, 36 hospitalized, some in critical condition.

Authorities warn about polluting rains due to fire in Matanzas: Do not expose yourself

Almost 2,000 people evacuated after fire at Matanzas Supertanker Base

The US government said it is ready to help Cuba in the face of the Matanzas catastrophe

The black cloud of the oil explosion extends to Havana

Teams of experts from Venezuela and Mexico arrived in Cuba, as emergency aid for the fire in Matanzas

Thermoelectric Antonio Guiteras only has fuel for two days after the fire in Matanzas

Minister of Energy and Mines of Cuba among those injured by fire in Matanzas

2 thoughts on “Matanzas fire update: Cuban dictatorship unable to control raging inferno”

  1. Many years ago while working for Conoco as a process engineer I was tasked with designing measures to mitigate loss of life in the event of a hydrocarbon tank failure. The first line of defense was a containment system using dikes or earthen walls and a way to safely pump or drain out the liquid. This assumes it does not ignite. Most all hydrocarbons burn very well with some having very lethal combustion fumes. The second line of defense were water cannons stations and fire hose stations around the tank. Respirators, fire protection clothing and training was provided for personnel to man the equipment. At Conoco all male staff were trained to fight these types of fire. The objective was not to put out the fire but rather to keep the heat off of adjacent tanks to prevent the fire from spreading to other tanks. Water walls were used to get near the tanks to shut off or open valves. I am sure none of this was available in this accident. If it was initially provided I imagine it was not maintained. The real loss is not the hydrocarbon fuel but rather the tanks and equipment which will take many months if not years to replace. Better get out your candles.

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