A fire broke out in a production building in Mārupe county. We invite you to close the windows and doors of the house and turn off the ventilation
On Tuesday afternoon, after 3 p.m., VUGD received information that a fire had broken out in a production building in Mārupe Parish. At the scene, the rescuers found that the building was burning with an open flame, and the fire was spreading rapidly, in addition, a strong smoke was forming.
Extensive VUGD forces were involved in the extinguishing – almost 50 firefighters, nine tankers, three ladders and a chemical truck, as well as the fire brigade of the international airport “Riga” with a tanker and personnel.
Shortly after 19:00, the firefighters limited the spread of the flames, but the mixing and casting of the structures is still going on.
Currently, it has been established that the two-story production building burned in an area of 600 square meters, while the products placed next to it – in an area of 20 square meters. Three cars were damaged by the heat.
THIS WASN’T THE FIRE POINT ITSELF, BUT CLOSE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/R7TUOMPIXX
— DACE SHEVCHENKO 🇺🇦 (@DACE_SHH) FEBRUARY 7, 2023
According to the information provided by the medics, two victims of the fire were taken to the hospital, while one was given help on the spot.
In order to prevent possible contamination, firefighters placed absorbent bags in the nearby county ditch.
The State Police will investigate the fire at the drone factory in Mārupe, the LETA agency learned from the Ministry of the Interior. Interior Minister Māris Kučinskis (AS) receives current information about the fire, and after its liquidation, an investigation into the causes of the fire will take place.
The representative of the State Police, Madara Sheršniova, told the LETA agency that initial information does not indicate that arson had taken place, however, a criminal trial has been initiated to find out the exact reasons.
Ilze Salna, representative of Riga Airport, told LETA that one of the five airport fire brigades was involved in extinguishing the fire. The airport firefighters participate in the extinguishing with the only fire engine of this type in Latvia, the tank capacity of which is 35 tons of water. The operation of the airport was not affected by the fire.
Taking into account the fact that widespread smoke spread and various substances were present in the production building, VUGD called on the residents of the nearby area to close the windows and doors of their houses and turn off the ventilation in order to avoid harm to health. In the evening, the smog that spread in the air had already subsided.
The representatives of “Edge Autonomy” confirmed to the LETA agency that the fire broke out in its production facility, but could not provide further comments. The deputy director of “Edge Autonomy” Jānis Vilmanis admitted to the LETA agency that the fire caused great damage, but added that the extent of the damage has not yet been specified.
Edge Autonomy (formerly UAV Factory) manufactures unmanned systems technologies that are delivered to government, commercial and academic customers in nearly 70 countries. The company is considered one of the leading manufacturers of world-class drone technology. “Edge Autonomy” drones are also supplied to the Ukrainian army.
In 2021, “Edge Autonomy” worked with a turnover of 8.661 million euros and made a profit of 546,356 euros, according to “Firmas.lv” information.
The company was founded in 2009, and its share capital is 1,041,505 euros. The owner of the company is the US company “Edge Autonomy Holdings, LLC”.
IN MARUPE. FACTORY OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZFWZFOI4RE
— ANDIS (@ANJO_LV) FEBRUARY 7, 2023
