A tragic fire occurred in the Krustkalns settlement of the Kekava region. Early in the morning the day before, fire engulfed an apartment building. Two children died. Several people were injured, two of whom are in the hospital, including a small child, reports TV3 News.
Five hours after the tragic fire in the modern suburban settlement, silence reigned. Only firefighters, police officers, and medics were present. Employees of the funeral home arrived to take away the bodies of the deceased. Neighbors from nearby houses watched the events unfold. They did not want to speak on camera.
The fire broke out in an apartment around 4:00 AM. A woman from a neighboring apartment told reporters that she woke up in a smoke-filled room and immediately evacuated with her family through the balcony. She also pointed out that a family with three children lived in the neighboring apartment, two of whom tragically died.
The fire likely originated in the apartment on the first floor. It then engulfed the entire first floor, the stairwell, and the facade of the building. Firefighters received the call at 4:59 AM. They rescued 29 people from the burning building. Another 15 people left the house on their own.
"A total of 165 square meters burned. 29 people were evacuated. Among them, two deceased, minors. Three people were hospitalized in medical facilities, including one minor. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Initial procedural actions are being conducted," said Maris Khmelnytsky, the head of the Ogres department of the Riga regional administration of the State Police.
The woman who may be the mother of the deceased children is in serious condition in the hospital. Her third child—a four-year-old girl, also injured in the tragedy—is currently being cared for by the medical staff of the Children's Clinical University Hospital. A third person, who suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning during the fire, was also hospitalized but was discharged by noon.
The private settlement "Jaunlazdu mājas" was built 18 years ago. It consists of 10 apartment buildings with 280 apartments. On the frosty morning of Friday, nearly 40 people were left without a roof over their heads. The management company LLC "Fortium.lv" found temporary housing for them.
"At the moment, we have contacted all our tenants and residents and provided housing for those in need. Those who can stay with relatives or friends are doing so. For those who need housing, we are providing it within the current project or in other properties of ours," said Fortium board member Arturs Dobrovolskis.
All houses in the settlement are insured, and smoke detectors were installed in the apartments. However, as eyewitnesses claim, they only went off when most residents had already managed to evacuate. Meanwhile, people are still waiting for permission from the authorities to return to the house to retrieve their belongings.
"All necessary needs are still being clarified. As soon as they are known, we are ready to act. We are in contact with the manager and will soon meet with him to determine exactly what he can provide and what he will offer. After that, it will be clear what else is needed from the municipality," said Aigars Vitols, the deputy chairman of the Kekava County Council.
When asked whether the family of the deceased children would receive special support, he replied: "Definitely. Everything necessary will be provided. We have already contacted the Child Rights Protection Center, which will arrive at the scene if such assistance is needed."
The State Police have initiated a criminal case under the Criminal Law concerning crimes against property. The investigation into the causes of the fire is ongoing.
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