A 50-Meter Chimney of an Old Factory Begins to Collapse in Staicele: Why Hasn't It Been Demolished Yet?

A few days ago, approximately six meters of the upper part of the chimney of the historic paper factory in Staicele collapsed. One local resident contacted the Bez Tabu program ([TV3](https://tv3.lv/beztabu/nejedzibas/staiceliesi-cel-trauksmi-nogazusies-papirfabrikas-skurstena-augsa/)), fearing that the destruction of the structure may continue. "In my opinion, this chimney is becoming dangerous since its upper part has collapsed. I ask for a report to be prepared so that the owner thinks about it and takes action to rectify the situation," the man said. The Staicele paper factory is over 120 years old. In 1912, a 50-meter-high chimney was built here — about the height of a 16-story building. For comparison, the height of the Freedom Monument in Riga is 42.7 meters. Opinions among residents about how dangerous the structure is are divided. However, the Limbaži municipal government believes that a threat exists. Council representative Girts Vilciņš confirmed that about six meters of the chimney had collapsed. After the incident, the property owners contacted the construction management. ### The Owner Wants to Demolish the Chimney, but the Monument Status is an Obstacle The owner of the factory, Evija Apine, assures that the situation is under control. No one was injured during the collapse, and the relevant authorities have been informed about the incident. According to her, authorities warned about the technical condition of the building and the possible consequences of its aging as early as 2024. > "We understand the residents' concerns and take the situation seriously," Apine emphasized. The main difficulty lies in the fact that the former paper factory has the status of a regional cultural monument. The area of the main building, of which the chimney is a part, reaches 9,764.1 square meters. The owner explains that she has been trying for several years to coordinate the demolition of most of the factory complex with the National Heritage Board while preserving elements suitable for further use. However, design and coordination require significant costs and time. > "Our goal is to assess the area as a whole and find a solution that is feasible both practically and financially, while simultaneously complying with cultural heritage protection requirements," Apine stated. ### The Municipality Supports Full Demolition The National Heritage Board previously suggested partially dismantling the chimney, removing only the dangerous part. However, the owner insists on complete demolition. The agency emphasizes that the historic chimney is an important element of Staicele's identity, so they expect a new proposal from the owners. Meanwhile, the Limbaži municipal government supports the complete demolition of the structure. The council points out that damage is visible even at the base of the chimney, and its current condition poses a danger. The owner also reminds that the territory of the former factory is privately owned and visiting it without permission is prohibited. While the owners and cultural heritage protection agencies seek a compromise, the future of the historic chimney remains uncertain.