Overnight central Rīga experiences significant blaze on Friday
In the heart of Riga on May 9, 2024, two separate incidents of fires in residential buildings brought the city's emergency services into action.
The first incident occurred at 20:32 on Zvaigžņu Street, where a fire broke out on the fourth floor of a six-story residential building, covering an area of 10 square meters. Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to extinguish the fire nine minutes later, at 20:58.
Just minutes after the call on Zvaigžņu Street, a fire started in a two-story wooden building on Laboratorijas Street. An eyewitness reported that people in the surrounding streets had run out onto the street with their pets and belongings. The emergency call was made by a local resident, and the fire quickly spread to the first and second floors, burning an area of 100 m2 on the first floor and 150 m2 on the second.
Firefighters rescued a total of four people from the burning house on Laboratorijas Street, while thirty people evacuated the building before the arrival of the VUGD. Tragically, four cars in the courtyard were damaged, and the facade of the adjacent house was also damaged.
More than 35 firefighters participated in the fire-fighting efforts on Laboratorijas Street, using eight firetrucks and three ladders. The roof of the residential house burned in an area of 320 m2. The VUGD worked for an additional two hours at the scene after the fire was extinguished.
Meanwhile, two more people were rescued by State Police officers from the fire on Laboratorijas Street before the arrival of the VUGD. Thirteen people evacuated the building on their own. Adjacent residential homes on Laboratorijas Street were inspected, but no smoke was found, and no evacuation was required.
A tweet from Plkst. 20.41 @ugunsdzeseji reported a new fire on Laboratorijas Street, and the scene was cleared by Friday morning at 07:07. The events on Laboratorijas Street in Riga on May 9, 2024, were a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and the quick response of the city's emergency services.
