In Mežciems, Riga, a family experienced a devastating loss when their long-coveted car was engulfed in flames following the remote activation of its heating system. According to the news program 'Degpunktā,' a passerby captured the moment on video when the car owner rushed down from the ninth floor with a fire extinguisher in a frantic attempt to salvage the vehicle. The situation was alarming, as the flames had already spread extensively by the time he reached the scene.

The fire was first spotted by the couple's son, who mistakenly thought it was another car on fire, only to learn that it was indeed their family's ‘Volvo.’ The owner's wife described the moment of realization and the panic that ensued as her husband hurried to use the fire extinguisher they had at home. Unfortunately, the intensity of the fire was too great, and the car was ultimately beyond saving, leaving behind a charred wreck.

The incident raises concerns about the safety of remote vehicle features, as the owner had activated the car's heating remotely shortly before the fire broke out. While the car was quite old, it had been well maintained, including a recent renovation of the heating system, suggesting that this activation may have been related to the fire outbreak. Such events serve as a reminder for car owners to exercise caution when using remote functionalities, particularly as they become more prevalent in modern vehicles.