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RIGA, Jan 16 (LETA) - On Friday morning, two people died and 29 were rescued in a residential building fire in the village of Krustkalni in Kekava Region. Several of those rescued were injured, while 15 people evacuated themselves, according to information provided to LETA by the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).

The Emergency Medical Service confirmed to LETA that the two casualties were minors.

At 4:59 a.m., the VUGD received information that a fire had broken out in a first-floor apartment of a four-story residential building in Kekava County. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found that the fire was spreading rapidly through the floors of the building with open flames. Firefighters immediately began searching all apartments and rescuing people.

Firefighters rescued 29 people from the burning building, 18 of them using rescue masks, six with ladder trucks, and five with three-section extension ladders.

Seven people required emergency medical assistance, four of whom were injured, three of whom were hospitalized, while the other three did not require hospitalization.

Two people died in the fire. Another 15 people evacuated the building on their own.

On Friday morning, firefighters continue their work at the scene of the incident - demolition of the structure is underway.

The Kekava Regional Council confirmed to LETA that a crisis management group meeting will be held on Friday morning to discuss, among other things, the necessary assistance for the victims.