Police close case into fatal Krustkalni fire

Latvia’s State Police have closed the criminal proceedings into a fatal fire in Krustkalni village, Ķekava municipality, LSM reported. The affected family is expected to appeal the decision.

Police said investigators had questioned more than 25 people and carried out several inspections and expert examinations, including chemical and technical analyses of the fire, along with other investigative and procedural measures.

Based on the information and evidence gathered, the case was closed under a provision of the Criminal Procedure Law stating that no criminal offence had occurred.

Police said the affected family and its lawyer have the right to review the case materials or appeal the decision in accordance with the law. A request to review the materials has been submitted and is being examined.

The fire killed two children and injured several people. The family has remained uncertain about the cause of the disaster.

Police did not comment on the cause of the fire, but Delfi.lv reported that the family was troubled by an expert conclusion that the fire was most likely caused by an abnormal operating mode in electrical equipment.

The family’s lawyer, Karīna Landmesere, said this was not a legal term but appeared in Cabinet regulations concerning building standards. She said the term referred to electrical equipment operating outside its intended conditions or too intensively. Landmesere also said the decision did not establish which appliance was involved, listing a kettle, oven, refrigerator, extractor hood or iron as possible examples.