Fire triggers evacuation of 2,000 at Latvian market

Around 2,000 people were evacuated from Riga Central Market on Friday after a fire broke out in a three-story building that houses workers' dormitories and a cafe, the Latvian fire service informed.

Firefighters were alerted to the fire at Riga's central market, which includes many historical buildings, at around 9:30 a.m. local time.

"Over 50 firemen and 12 fire engines were involved in tackling the blaze," said Inta Palkavniece, a spokeswoman for the Fire and Rescue Service.

She added that work on the site was ongoing but that by 12:50 p.m. the firefighters had managed to contain the flames which had spread to an area covering 1,100 square meters.

Managers at the cafe said the fire had started in the boiler-house due to yet unknown reasons, local media reported.