Fire at Riga Circus; no one injured

Black smoke enveloped one end of Alfreda Kalnina Street in central Riga this afternoon after a fire hit the Riga Circus complex.

The first fire brigades arrived at the scene at around 3:30 p.m.

State Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Viktorija Gribuste reported that 13 trucks were sent out manned by 44 people.

No one was injured or killed, and all of the animals were brought to safety. They had been on the lower levels, and were at risk from the dense smoke.

The blaze erupted on the top floor of the circus courtyard building, and the roof also caught fire. It is not yet known what the cause of the fire was.

Firefighters and circus personnel were quick to evacuate the animals on the premises. LETA saw birds being brought out, as well as three horses and several dogs.

The Riga Circus building was built more than a hundred years ago in 1888. It has changed little since that time, and has always remained in use as a circus. In 1986, Riga City Council recognised the building as an "architectural monument of local importance".