Boy with Down syndrome injured in fire that destroyed his home in Las Tunas

A fire that occurred on Sunday afternoon in the rural settlement of Lajitas Adentro, Jobabo, in the province of Las Tunas, resulted in the total destruction of a home and injuries to an 11-year-old child with Down syndrome and motor impairment.

The official broadcaster Radio Cabaniguán reported on its website that the child, named José Daniel Batista Mendoza, was living in the house with his mother, Yurima Mendoza, when the fire broke out.

Fortunately, a neighbor managed to rescue him and he received immediate attention from the community before being transferred to the provincial pediatric hospital "Mártires de Las Tunas."

According to Dr. Liliam Bermúdez, the child suffered superficial second-degree burns on 13.5% of his body, and although his injuries are not extremely severe, his condition is delicate due to his preexisting health issues.

The causes of the fire are still under investigation, but it is believed to be an accident, the cited broadcaster emphasized.

The house, constructed with lightweight materials, was completely destroyed, including all the family's belongings.

The community's solidarity was evident, as neighbors, family members, and local authorities came together to support the mother and her child.

Representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Communist Party of Cuba, and the Municipal Assembly of People's Power attended the site, where they promised material and financial assistance to the affected family.

“The community and local institutions continue to work together to support the family, while awaiting the results of the investigation to determine the exact causes of the fire,” emphasized Radio Cabaniguán.

In January, a father and his son were injured in a large-scale fire that took place in the Las Cañas popular council, in the municipality of Artemisa.

Both suffered minor burn injuries during the incident that destroyed the family's home, reported the local outlet Artemisa Diario.

The incident occurred in the afternoon when the flames began to spiral out of control at the home of Juan Miguel Sáez, a resident of the area, while he was performing mechanical work in the yard of his house, the news portal reported.

Also in January, a fire in a multifamily building located in the Reparto Abel Santamaría of Santiago de Cuba, popularly known as "El Salao," caused alarm in the densely populated neighborhood.

The incident occurred at night on the third floor of Building 40 in Micro 1B. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared information and images of the event.

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