Fire at Riga Port scrap metal warehouse extinguished after 12 hours

Firefighters in Riga have successfully extinguished a significant fire that erupted at a scrap metal warehouse in the city's port area. The blaze, located in Vecmīlgrāvis on Meldru Street, required nearly 12 hours of intensive work before being fully put out on Saturday morning at 7:08 AM.

The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) received the call on Friday at 7:10 PM, reporting a pile of scrap metal burning over an area of 300 square meters. The response involved more than 30 firefighters, six fire trucks, and two aerial ladder platforms. An operational headquarters was established, including representatives from VUGD, the company, State Police, Port Police, State Environmental Service, Riga Municipal Police, and the Riga Civil Defense Commission.

The fire was contained by Friday evening at 11 PM, with full liquidation achieved the following morning. During the firefighting efforts, a drone was used for site assessment, and a tugboat named "Stella" assisted from the port side. Absorbent booms were deployed in the Daugava River as a precautionary measure against potential pollution, following recommendations from the State Environmental Service.

Approximately 30,000 tons of scrap metal were involved in the fire. Initial information suggests that high temperatures and sparks generated by machinery may have caused the ignition. The fire produced heavy smoke, prompting residents in the Vecmīlgrāvis and Vecāķi neighborhoods to close windows and stay indoors. Measures were taken to contain potential pollution from firefighting water runoff into the Daugava River.