Riga on fire
Riga’s normally clear skyline was crowded with smoke as blazes erupted in the Riga Brasa jail and across the river in Bolderaja.
The fire broke out in the Brasa Jail presumably started by a cigarette in the jails smoking lounge. No inmates escaped from the prison amid the blaze, authorities said.
Inga Vetere, a representative of the State Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire was brought under control by 12.49 p.m. The fire-fighters continued to work at the scene to prevent the flames from spreading.
About ten fire brigades had arrived to extinguish the flames.
Although a roof collapsed during the fire no casualties were reported.
The fire had spread to two buildings -- a two-floor and a three-floor building. The burning structures were sealed off so that they did not pose any threat to other buildings. The buildings damaged in the fire house a tailoring shop, a sanitary unit and living accommodations.
The fire at the jail was declared an especially dangerous accident not only because it had broken out in a prison but also because the affected buildings have slate roofing and the flames were spreading rapidly.
After the fire brigades had left, all inmates and staff of the prison were counted to make sure that everybody is safe and sound and that nobody has managed to escape.
Latvian Justice Minister Gaidis Berzins is set to ask the government to allocate funding for the renovation of the jail.The exact damage brought by the fire will be estimated in a week
Across the river in Bolderaja a 12 hectare forest fire, mostly on government owned landed also added to the smoky skyline. The operational station manager said that there were a few problems in getting the blaze under control.
“There was a problem with getting water in to the area since it was fairly remote. We worked with the Riga’s Railway to bring in water by train and then transport that water to the affected area.”
He also warned people to be more careful and aware the dry season is upon us and raging fires can start with just one spark
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