Eight people die in fire in downtown Riga hostel

RIGA - On Wednesday morning, eight people died in a fire in a downtown Riga hostel, LETA learned from the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).

VUGD received a call to a fire on Merkela Street at 5 a.m. The top floor and roof of a six-storeyed building were on fire.

Rescue of people was launched immediately, but eight people were found dead in the floor on fire.

At least nine people were rescued and handed over to medics, 20 more people were evacuated. The Riga authorities are taking care of them.

Riga Mayor Martins Stakis (For Development/Progressives) said on social networks that, according to the information at his disposal, the fire broke out in rooms of a hostel premises, and most of the victims are foreigners. The building itself belongs to the state.

The tragedy happened in the building on Merkela Street 8. According to publicly available information, hostel Japanese Style Centrum was located in the building along with offices of different companies.

More than 50 firefighters are still working on the site. Traffic has been closed, and there are changes in public transport routes. Power has been switched off for some sections of the street.