Fire at Fredrikstad scrapyard sends smoke across city

A large fire at a scrap metal site near Borg Harbour in Fredrikstad has sent thick smoke drifting toward the city centre and surrounding areas, prompting authorities to advise residents to keep windows and doors closed.

Emergency services responded to reports of the blaze at 11:48 AM on Saturday, according to a statement from police operations leader Mathias Eckhoff. The fire, burning in a pile of metal waste, initially spread smoke to the Kongsten area before reaching Kråkerøy and central Fredrikstad by early afternoon.

By 12:29 PM, firefighters reported they had gained control of the fire but continued suppression efforts. “This is a high pile of scrap metal, so we need to work our way down into it to fully extinguish it,” said Petter Thon, duty officer at the Øst 110 emergency centre, in an update at 1:30 PM.

Workers at Borg Harbour assisted the operation, using a crane to draw water from the sea to douse the flames. Thon noted that while the smoke remained visible, weather conditions and water application had reduced its density. “There may be some odour, but there is no danger to residents,” he added.

No injuries or smoke inhalation cases have been reported in connection with the incident.