Campfire in Abandoned Building at Katoļu Street 25 in Riga Brings Firefighters

A group of people lit a campfire inside an abandoned four-storey building at Katoļu Street 25 in Riga, and as darkness fell, smoke began pouring from its windows. Rescue crews were called to the scene, and firefighters went into the empty building with hoses. The incident was reported by the news programme "Degpunkts". It shows that the fenced-off and sealed building is still not protected against unauthorised entry.

What happened

Eyewitness Nils says old clothes had been set alight inside. According to him, the firefighters gave few details, mentioning only smoke and smouldering. They entered the building through the roof and put out the fire. In Nils's words, there were no open flames, but there was a great deal of smoke.

Nobody had to be evacuated. This suggests that those who lit the fire managed to leave the building before the thicker smoke appeared and it became clear they could not put it out themselves.

Condition of the building

The building at Katoļu Street 25 has had no official residents for several years. Last year, the last occupants, who were staying there illegally, were removed. Since then the building has been fenced off and all entrances tightly sealed, so that no one would feel tempted to return.

Anrijs, one of the people responsible for the building, is surprised that a hole has once again been broken open through which the premises can be entered.

Residents' attitude

Local residents immediately assumed the fire had most likely been started by homeless people who visit the building from time to time. They say that people using intoxicating substances often stayed here in the past and that the place always seemed frightening. They therefore hope the building will be either renovated or demolished, so that the area gains one more tidy spot.