Latvia’s State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) reports at around 15:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the 7th of February, information was received about a massive fire at a factory in Marupe. The fire was localised at around 19:00 p.m.
Efforts to clear debris and snuff remaining pockets of fire continued until Wednesday morning.
Upon arriving at the scene rescuers found a building aflame, with fire spreading rapidly and producing large volumes of smoke. Nearly 50 fire fighters, nine cisterns, three ladder and chemical trucks were involved. Riga International Airport’s fire fighters were called in to assist.
According to what is know so far, the fire had engulfed 600 m2 area of a two-storey production facility and 20 m2 of products left nearby. Three cars parked nearby were damaged by the heat from the fire. According to information from medical workers, two fire victims were hospitalised and one person was provided with medical aid on site.
To prevent possible pollution, fire fighters deployed absorbents in the nearby ditch.
Latvian State Police, as confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior, will investigate the fire at the UAV drone factory in Marupe. Minister Māris Kučinskis is provided with the latest information about the fire. Once the emergency has been resolved completely, an investigation of the fire will follow.
State Police representative Madara Šeršņova reported: initial information does not indicate it was an act of arson. Nevertheless, a criminal procedure will commence in order to determine the exact cause of the fire.
UAVs manufactured by Edge Autonomy are also supplied for the need of the Ukrainian army.
Riga International Airport representative Ilze Salna says one of the airport’s five fire fighting units was involved in efforts to put out the fire.
Because the massive fire produced large volumes of smoke, VUGD urged local residents to close windows, doors and switch off ventilation to prevent health problems.
Edge Autonomy representatives have confirmed that the fire had broke out at the factory. They did not provide more detailed comments. The company’s deputy director Jānis Vilmanis admits the fire has caused major damages, adding that the full extent is unknown as of yet.
Edge Autonomy representative Dzintars Neimanis stressed in a press statement that the company does what it can to ensure the fire does not affect operations too much. He also said it is too soon to consider possible losses.
«Our priority is making sure our employees are safe. Three of our workers were injured in the fire. Two of them are hospitalised. We trust in operational services working on-site to determine the cause of the fire. This is why to avoid interfering with the investigation, we refrain from making any assumptions,» Neimanis writes.
Edge Autonomy business development manager Kristaps Puķe takes part in Ziedot.lv campaign on the 15th of November 2021. Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAEdge Autonomy (previously known as UAV Factory) manufactures unmanned vehicle technologies supplied to government, commercial and academic clients in nearly 70 countries around the world.
The company is considered one of the leading world-class UAV technologies manufacturer.
In 2021 Edge Autonomy operated with turnover of ER 8.661 million and profits of EUR 546 356, according to information from Firmas.lv. The company was founded in 2009 with base capital of Eur 1 041 505. The company is owned by US company Edge Autonomy Holdings LLC.
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