Fire damages part of Latvia’s Riga Castle

A FIRE has partially damaged Riga Castle, a medieval fortress that houses the National History Museum of Latvia, the Baltic News Service reported.

Firefighters battle the blaze at the historic castle in the Latvian capital. Picture: AFP

The castle normally serves as the presidential residence, but BNS says Latvian president Andris Berzins is staying elsewhere as the building is being renovated.

BNS says the fire started late yesterday and raced through the attic and roof.

Video from Latvian TV showed flames shooting up from the roof, sending a thick plume of smoke into the night sky.

The extent of the damage is not immediately clear, including whether the fire damaged the museum and its artefacts.

There are no reports of injuries.