Blaze at US drone factory in Latvia; Unsuspected arson

The Baltic News Service said although the fire was largely contained by 7pm.On Tuesday, firefighters continued to work to fully extinguish the blaze early Wednesday. Headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California, Edge Autonomy is a manufacturer of unmanned systems technology and equipment, including drones for civil and military use. The US Department of Defense, US Army and US ArmyMarine Corps are among their customers.

The company's Latvian drone manufacturing facility was established in 2009. Among other things, Edge Autonomy's facility in Marupe has shipped drones to Ukraine. BNS said the 600-square-meter (6,500-square-foot) two-story drone production building and objects near the building caught fire. He said two people were taken to hospital while one person received medical attention at the scene.

Riga's main airport is near the plant, and Latvian public broadcaster LSM said the airport sent its own fire brigade to help put out the blaze, which was spreading smoke in nearby areas. Flight operations at Riga Airport were not affected by the incident.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire at the facility. Police told local media that initial information did not indicate arson, but a full investigation has been launched to find out exactly what happened to the .