Posted by : Anonymous
Friday, 21 June 2013
The worst fire in recent years has badly damaged Riga Castle, the
medieval fortress that is also the official residence of the Latvian
president. President Berzims described the fire as a national disaster
as the castle also houses the National Museum. The biggest damage was done to the depositories of the local
history museum, as well as the museum of literature and music.
Part of the exhibits were protected, and about a hundred of the
most valuable items were moved to a safe place. Latvia’s Minister
of Culture Janeta Jaunzeme-Grende personally took part in the
rescue operations. The fire broke out late on Thursday and ripped through the roof
and the attic, according to the Baltic News Service. A spokeswoman for the State Fire and Rescue Service, Viktorija
Sembele, confirmed that the overnight blaze damaged the roof and
the second and third floors of the castle.
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| Firefighters put out a fire burning at Riga Castle in Riga on June 20, 2013. (AFP Photo) |
There have been no reports of
injuries. One firefighter was treated for smoke
inhalation.
Sembele said some valuable relics in the museum suffered water
damage, none were destroyed, however. Latvia's President, Andris Berzins was not staying at the castle,
as the historic building is currently being renovated. Local authorities mobilized ten fire crews to tackle the blaze.
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| A fire blazes at Riga Castle on June 20, 2013 in Riga, Latvia. (AFP Photo) |
The head of Latvia’s fire rescue department described the fire as
“the largest and worst in recent years in Riga”. Firemen were combatting the blaze throughout the night.
A helicopter was provided by the army to drop water from the
nearby Daugava River.
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A view of the fire at the Riga castle June
20, 2013. According to media reports, the cause of the fire, which
started on Thursday night, is unknown. (Reuters/Dmitrijs Sulzics)
|
“[Our] equipment dates back to Soviet times. Of course, we do
our best to keep in good order so we could use it any moment. But
as experience shows during bad fires weaknesses manifest
themselves, as it happened this time around. Let’s put it this
way, our pumping station has failed us,” Oscars Abolinsh said
in an interview with Latvian radio.
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| View of the Presidential Castle, center, from the Daugava River in Riga. (RIA Novosti/Oksana Dzhadan) |
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
