HAVANA — A fire broke out Friday at the Ñico López Refinery in Havana but was quickly extinguished, Cuban authorities said, as the island grapples with an intensifying fuel shortage. The blaze occurred in a warehouse storing unused products and did not spread to key processing areas or fuel storage tanks, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Officials emphasised that refinery operations continued “with complete normalcy” and that no injuries or fatalities were reported.
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Videos shared on social media earlier in the day showed a thick column of black smoke rising above Havana Bay, drawing concern from residents in surrounding districts. Firefighters from the refinery and local brigades were mobilised to contain the blaze, which officials said was under control within a short period. The ministry said the cause is being investigated, though initial reports indicate the fire was limited to a warehouse area containing obsolete materials rather than active fuel infrastructure.
🇨🇺A massive fire broke out at the Nico Lopez oil refinery in Havana, one of Cuba’s largest facilities, amid a severe fuel shortage and the US oil embargo on the island
This was the oil unloading point sent by Mexico. It is critically important. pic.twitter.com/ny9Son3Kzd
— Sprinter Press (@SprinterPress) February 14, 2026
The incident occurs against the backdrop of a deepening energy crisis in Cuba, where fuel supplies have dwindled following disruptions in international oil imports. The island has faced worsening shortages after the United States tightened restrictions on oil shipments from traditional suppliers, including Venezuela, exacerbating daily power outages and transport disruptions.
Residents and analysts have expressed concern that even small accidents at critical energy sites could pose larger risks amid infrastructure deterioration and limited resources. The Ñico López facility, one of Cuba’s principal refineries, plays a crucial role in processing both domestic and imported crude, making its operational stability vital to the country’s energy supply.
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As Cuba continues to confront fuel scarcity and its economic impacts, authorities have sought to reassure the public that essential energy facilities remain secure and functional. Investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, and further updates are expected once officials complete their assessments.