Family challenges investigation into Krustkalni fire that killed two children

The family severely injured in a fire in Krustkalni, Ķekava Municipality, which killed two of their children, is seeking to have the discontinued criminal case reopened, LSM reported. State Police ended the investigation after finding no physical or legal person responsible, but the family and its lawyer say the case was investigated inadequately. Police reject the accusation.

The family has been left with three members: mother Tatjana, father Artjoms and their daughter Alise. The fire on January 16 killed their older son and daughter, while doctors fought for a long time to save Tatjana and the youngest child.

The family wants to establish why the fire occurred, why there was no smoke detector in the apartment and what other factors contributed to the tragedy. Tatjana said smoke detectors that activated in time could have woken them earlier and might have prevented the deaths.

Artjoms said those responsible for the Krustkalni project should be held accountable because smoke detectors had not been installed in the apartment, which the family rented from the project. A heat detector had been installed, but Tatjana said she did not hear it operating while the apartment was on fire. Smoke detectors were installed in the stairwell, but not inside the apartment.

The building managers did not respond to Latvian Television’s request for comment.

Lawyer Karīna Landmesere said the building had been insulated with polystyrene foam both outside and inside. She said the fire spread very quickly and produced highly toxic smoke, which killed the children before the flames reached them.

The police investigation did not provide the family with answers. According to Landmesere, State Police established that an abnormal electrical condition had occurred but did not determine which electrical appliance was involved. Several electrical appliances and sockets were sent for examination, and experts indicated that the fire may have started in the oven.